Corrado Feroci - The Italian Legacy in Bangkok

Corrado Feroci (1892 - 1962) was a graduate ofUniversity of Fine Arts was established with
the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, the artCorrado Feroci as the first Dean.
capital of Italy. He came to Bangkok in 1923 whenIn recognition of his services, Corrado Feroci was
King Rama VI requested the Italian governmentgranted Thai citizenship in 1946 and changed his
for a sculptor to train Thai artists and craftsmenname to Silapa Bhirasri. During his career in
and raise the standards of Thai art to internationalThailand, he was responsible for 18 famous
levels.monuments in Thailand of which 9 are in Bangkok.
The arrival of Corrado Feroci was to start a trainHis better-known monuments are:
of events that would have a profound impact onKing Rama I Monument (1932) at the Memorial
the development of Thai art. He started as aBridge to honor the founder of Bangkok and the
sculptor with the Fine Arts Department andChakri dynasty that has reigned over Thailand till
taught sculpture to art graduates.this day.
Later, he was asked by the Thai government toDemocracy Monument (1939) in Ratchadamnoen
prepare a curriculum and the textbooks for theAvenue to commemorate the coup in 24 June
formal training of artists. With a formal teaching1932 that ended the absolute monarchy and
system in place, the Silpakorn School of Fine Artsbrought in constitutional government.
was set up in 1937 with Corrado Feroci as theVictory Monument (1941) in Phahonyothin Road to
first director.honor Thai servicemen and civilians who died in
In 1943, as part of the government's policy tothe Franco-Thai war from November 1940 -
emphasize the importance of art, the school wasJanuary 1941, over disputed Indo-Chinese
raised to the status of a university. The Silpakornterritories that are now part of Cambodia.