Costanzo Mongini

When Costanzo Mongini was six-years-old he started to sculpt with pieces of clay from his parent’s workshop. This began a lifetime love of sculpting and painting that would make Mongini a world famous artist. Just before the end of World War II he attended the École des Beaux-Arts school in Lausanne. As an artist he was known for his avant-garde style through his exhibitions across Europe and further afield. One of his most famous works is a sculpture of Cardinal Ottaviani, which is kept in a private collection in the Vatican.

Mongini was also a skilled ice hockey player, spending more than a decade in the sport as a goaltender. On either side of World War II he represented HC Milano as well as playing several matches for Crans-Montana in Switzerland. In 1948 he was part of the Italian team that competed at the St. Moritz Olympics.