Gonippo [George] Raggi
1875-1959
Raggi murals in Buffalo:
|
Partial reprint Prof. Raggi Dies at 84; Honored by Three Popes The Catholic Advocate, October 1959 (online Dec. 2019) ORANGE, NJ - Honored by three Popes and a number of European countries, Prof. Gonippo Raggi, one of the foremost ecclesiastical artists in the world, died Oct 22 after an illness of four weeks. He was 84 years old. According to his son Louis, Professor Raggi had done the art work in approximately 200 churches in Europe, North and [South]America. In this area, however, he was best known as the artist for the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. The Newark Cathedral itself Is a lasting memorial to the dedication and artistry of Professor Raggi. It was a work of several years, during which he made numerous trips to Europe to oversee the most minute details of the works of art which have marked Sacred Heart as one of the finest and most beautiful cathedrals in the United States. Professor Raggi also supervised the art decoration of two basilicas, Our Lady of Victory, Lackawanna, N.Y., and the Basilica of St. Josaphat, Milwaukee. In each of these he personally executed 5O mural paintings with life-size figures. IN THE COURSE of his long career in ecclesiastical art, Professor Raggi received numerous official honors. Pope Pius XI named him a Private Chamberlain of the Cape and Sword, and he was confirmed in this honor also by Pope Pius XII and Pope John XXIII. This last honor was awarded him last January when be was received in audience by the present Pontiff. According to Louis Raggi, who was also present, Pope John at that time commissioned Professor Raggi to paint his official portrait to hang in the throne room. Varying from his usual custom, Louis Raggi said, the Pope declared be would pose personally for the work rather than have the artist work from photographs. Professor Raggi had his canvases ready and was prepared to leave for Rome four weeks ago when be suffered the illness which, resulted in his death. The artist was born in Rome on May 6, 1875, son of Ernest and Filomena Bianchi Raggi. He was a prize graduate of St. Luke’s Royal Academy in Rome and his outstanding artistic talent brought him membership in the Pontifical Academy of Virtuosi al Pantheon. He also taught at St. Michael’s Institute of Art, Rome. In 1904 he came to America, brought here by Martin Mahoney of Philadelphia, a Papal Marquis. Mr. Mahoney commissioned Professor Raggi to decorate the new St. Catharine’s Church in Spring Lake. He financed the erection of the church as a memorial to his daughter. The next years were spent In Spring Lake. He financed the work and travel in America, Europe and notably in South America, where he went for a visit to Peru and stayed for three years. During this period he painted the portraits of a number of distinguished personages, including President Pardo of Peru. PROFESSOR RAGGI took up permanent residence in the United States in 1921 and then began a life-long friendship with the late Archbishop Walsh who, while Bishop of Trenton, had been extremely impressed with the artist’s work at St. Catharine’s. This led to his association with the Archdiocese of Newark and, in 1928, Professor Raggi settled in the Oranges. Professor Raggi remained active up until the very time of his fatal illness. At the time of his death he was finishing up the decoration of St. Aloysius Church, Jersey City, and also supervising new marble work in Our Lady of Grace Church, Hoboken. St. Bartholomew's Church, Scotch Plains, has a prized painting executed by the artist. Titled “Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me,’’ it depicts Our Lord with a group of young ones. Flanking the painting are the coats of arms of Pope John XII and Archbishop Boland. |
