Born into very humble origins in San Piero a Sieve, in the countryside around Florence, Berti began as a designer at the ceramic maker Richard Ginori when he was 17. It was the writer Ugo Ojetti who, after seeing Berti’s clay works, convinced his father to enrol him at the Santa Croce art institute of Florence. Another key figure in Berti’s career was the sculptor Libero Andreotti, who was also a great friend of Ojetti’s. Antonio Berti specialised in portrait making, making a name for himself with a bust of the poet Ugo Foscolo (Santa Croce, Florence). He soon became one of the most sought-after portraitists of the time, as monarchs, high prelates and socialites vied for his services. Official sculptor to the Vatican and the Royal Family, Berti has made celebratory monuments dedicated to Victor Emanuel II, Alcide de Gasperi, pope Pius XII, Guglielmo Marconi and queen Regina Elena. He was member of the San Luca academy.
Sculptures: Barbara
