Stefano Bombardieri (Brescia, 1968) is an internationally renowned Italian sculptor, recognized for his imposing figurative installations dedicated to the animal world. He has developed an artistic practice that combines hyperrealism with conceptual tension, giving form to works of powerful visual and emotional impact.

His practice focuses on iconic subjects—elephants, rhinos, whales—rendered with a monumentality that amplifies their sense of vulnerability and fragility.

Central to his work is the theme of “weight”: suspended, compressed, or trapped animals become metaphors for the human condition, crushed by responsibility, memory, and inner tensions.

The use of materials such as bronze and fiberglass, combined with often monumental scales, allows the artist to intervene in public space with works that establish a direct dialogue with the environment and the viewer.

Bombardieri’s work explores existential and environmental issues, examining the relationship between humanity and nature and the precarious balance that binds them. Emblematic of this is the series *The Animals Count Down*, which highlights the urgency of protecting the natural world.

Throughout his career, the artist has participated in major international exhibitions, including the 52nd and 54th Venice Biennale, and has presented his works in numerous European cities, including Ferrara, Saint-Tropez, Pietrasanta, Cernobbio, and Potsdam. His sculptures are also included in international museum collections and institutions, such as the Erarta Museum in St. Petersburg.