| Abbot Luigi | |
|---|---|
| Italian:Abbate Luiggi | |
 | |
| Type | Talking statues ofRome |
| Subject | An unknown Romanmagistrate Named for an abbot from Chiesa del Sudario |
| Location | Piazza Vidoni |
| Coordinates | 41°53′46″N12°28′28″E / 41.896056°N 12.474556°E /41.896056; 12.474556 |
Abbot Luigi (Romanesco:Abbate Luiggi;Italian:Abate Luigi) is one of thetalking statues ofRome. Like the other five "talking statues",pasquinades – irreverentsatires poking fun at public figures – were posted besideAbate Luigi in the 14th and 15th centuries.
The statue is a lateRoman sculpture of a standing man in atoga, probably a seniormagistrate. It was found during the excavations for the foundations of thePalazzo Vidoni-Caffarelli, near theTheatre of Pompey. After being moved to various locations in Rome, the statue has been situated in thepiazza Vidoni since 1924, near its place of discovery, on a side wall of theBasilica di Sant'Andrea della Valle. Its head has been removed in jest several times.
The original identity of the person depicted has not been determined, and it was named after a clergyman from thenearby chiesa del Sudario.
An inscription on its plinth testifies to Abate Luigi's loquacity:
FUI DELL’ANTICA ROMA UN CITTADINO
ORA ABATE LUIGI OGNUN MI CHIAMA
CONQUISTAI CONMARFORIO E CONPASQUINO
NELLE SATIRE URBANE ETERNA FAMA
EBBI OFFESE, DISGRAZIE E SEPOLTURA
MA QUI VITA NOVELLA E ALFIN SICURA
I was a citizen of Ancient Rome
Now all call me Abbot Louis
Along with Marforio and Pasquino I conquer
Eternal fame for Urban Satire
I received offences, disgrace, and burial,
till here I found new life and finally safety