Recently, I have received information on Hugo Villa, from his relative, Mauro Mazzia, in Ponderano, Italy.
Here is what he sent to me:
Hugo Villa was born in Roppolo, northern Italy, on 10 November 1883. His family village is Ponderano.
His father was Dr. Villa Lorenzo and mother, Cabella Teresa. In Turin, he studied medicine and music, (he was a
violinist and violin maker). Then, in Albertina, he studied sculpture, at the Academy of Beaux Arts, for one year.
He worked in Bangkok and Mexico, but I don't have news about this works there. In 1918/20 he immigrated to the U.S.A., and he worked for many years with Gutzon Borglum.
His work is in:
New Jersey ("Wars of America").
Stone Mountain.
Mount Rushmore.
And in Texas:
Texas memorial to Honored dead, with Sam Vosper, Memorial Stadium, Univ. of Tx, Austin.
"Henry Smith statue", Tx Highway 36, Brazoria.
"portrait bust of Dr. Mark Francis" Texas A&M University, College Station.
"German Pioneers Monument", Landa Park, New Braunfels.
"Virgin Mary statue, baptismal font, holy water font, entrance shell, constructed of cast concrete, Mission
nuestra senora del espiritu santo de Zuniga.
In Goliad: Memorial Auditorium: interiors details and entrance panels of cast concrete.
Bronze relief plaques in Our Lady of Refuge Church, convent and school, Goliad.
Portrait bust of Francita Alaves, the Angel of Goliad, Presidio La Bahia Museum, Goliad.
Various plaques, shields, doorways, and fixtures, Refugio.
References:
"The Carving of Mount Rushmore", Rex Allan Smith, New York, Abeville Press, 1985.
"Give the Man Room", Robert Carey and Mary Borglum, Indianapolis, Bobbs, 1952.
"Gutzon Borglum his life and work", Robin Carter Borglum.
"Unfinished Dream", June Culp Zeitner & Lincoln Borglum.
"Outdoor sculpture in Texas", Carol Morris Little, University of Texas Press,1996.
"Our Lady Comes to Refugio", William H. Oberste, Jones publishing co., 1944.
Texas artists files, Witte Museum, San Antonio.
Biographical files, Daughters of Republic of Texas Library, San Antonio.
Hugo Villa lived and worked in San Antonio, where he had a sculptor's studio.
He died 04 november 1948, and he is buried in San Jose Burial Park.
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