The statue which portrays the allegory of Friendship (ISAL Photo Archive)
In front of the south façade of the imposing country residence of Desio, a pair of allegorical statues in Carrara marble is positioned and was completed in the first half of the 19th century by Antonio Galli and Luigi Marchesi. The two majestic sculptures positioned in the western portion, portray Friendship and were commissioned by Pelagio Palagi when the architectural complex was being restored after it was sold to the Traversi family.
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Depicted as ancient Greek deities sedately sitting on a marble throne in the classic form, Friendship here is sculpted by Antonio Galli as a seductive female figure leaning from one side to the other armrest of the throne while extending her arm to welcome visitors. From her monumental throne, draped in clothing that leaves her arms and one shoulder exposed, Friendship has a serene and unruffled expression that is similarly repeated in the allegory of Hospitality. Here, however, the allegorical statue was made with her hair gathered around her smooth crown, without allowing the artist to linger on more elaborate hairstyles or fashion. Interestingly, though the artist picks some particular aspects in the traditional depiction of Friendship, he deviates from the allegorical vision of Cesare Ripa who imagines Friendship as a “woman” who uncouthly shows “almost all her left shoulder and nude breasts” while with her right hand presents her heart where the motto “near and far” is present. In fact, to support the armrest and the arm of divinity is a depiction of a dog, a symbol of friendship and loyalty. Two bands on the seat are also decorated in relief with continuous patterns in ivy leaves and clasped hands, a symbol of eternal friendship.
