My favorite sculptor

When I was about 10 years old we moved to D. Gertrudes Avenue. I loved living in that house! A big garden in front, an enormous backyard, with space enough for our dear Dita to make fruit desserts on the wood stove and an orchard that extended almost to the next street.

On the other side of the street lived a family that captured my attention. It was the Furlanetto family. The Italian Antonio Furlanetto immigrated to Brazil and established the first marble sculpture shop in São João da Boa Vista. Fernando Furlanetto, one of his sons, was so talented that when he was only 14 years old he went to Italy to polish his art at the Istituto d' Arti Stagio Stagi, in Pietrasanta.

I was simply filled with wonder when I saw the beautiful statues sculpted by those handa. Whenever I could I would cross the street and stand there in silence, observing the work of the sculptor. He did not say a word, and would kindly tolerate my presence.

If you wish to know more about him, the video below shows some of his work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErPHgwMXe0Y

Most of the statues sculpted by Fernando Furlanetto are in the local cemetery. There are over 300 statues. The most famous set of sculptures shows the daughter holding her arms out to her mother. It is a true story: the girl died and some time later the mother was gone. The sculptor imagined the daughter in heaven, waiting for her mother's arrival with open arms. A beautiful and touching work of art.