Alfonso Balzico: Life and Legacy Early Life and Education Alfonso Balzico (1825-1901) was an Italian sculptor born in Cava de' Tirreni, near Salerno, Italy. He initially pursued studies in literature, demonstrating a broad intellectual foundation before turning to the visual arts. His early artistic endeavors focused on sculpting in wood, which soon transitioned to marble as he honed his skills. Artistic Training and Early Successes Balzico received a stipend that allowed him to study at the Academy of the Arts in Naples, marking a crucial step in his formal artistic training. He quickly ga…