Join us for a captivating lecture by Italian American author, Maria Teresa Cometto, as she discusses her most recent book, “Emma and the Angel of Central Park.” The event will begin with a brief introduction by our current exhibiting visual artist, Annamarie Trombetta, on the history and creation of Central Park. 

Trombetta will highlight quintessential figures, including prominent Staten Island residents, who played a role in making Central Park a true treasure. She will also mention other relevant female artists and writers, leading into the celebrated subject of the evening, Emma Stebbins and her iconic statue in Central Park. Maria Teresa Cometto, author of the first biography of Emma Stebbins, published by Bordighera Press, will share the extraordinary story of the artist who created the Bethesda Fountain with the Angel of the Waters. 

This monument is one of the most beloved icons of New York City, featured in countless films. Despite its fame, very few people know about Emma Stebbins and her significant work. Cometto will explore why Rome, between the 1850s and 1870s, was a hub for artists, especially American women sculptors. 

She will delve into “La Dolce Vita” in Rome experienced by Emma and her partner, the American actress Charlotte Cushman, along with their circle of American women sculptors. The lecture will also touch upon the symbolism of the Angel of the Waters and Emma's connection to the Italian Risorgimento. 

Date: July 27, 2024 

Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM 

Location: Garibaldi Meucci Museum