Monumental Globes

Large-scale works created at 108 cm in diameter, where globe making becomes architecture, sculpture and storytelling. Conceived individually and made entirely by hand, each Monumental Globe is developed as a significant work in its own right.

Making atmonumental scale

Globes in the Coronelli tradition, raised on their turned bases

A monumental tradition

The 108 cm diameter closely follows the scale of Vincenzo Coronelli's great large-series globes of the late seventeenth century, made at approximately 110 cm. These imposing terrestrial and celestial globes were created for emperors, monarchs, ecclesiastical patrons and important families, as well as for great libraries and distinguished collections.

Many surviving examples are now preserved in museums, historic libraries and important collections, where they remain extraordinary witnesses to the art and knowledge of their age.

A detail of the constellation figures drawn across a celestial globe

A world created from the beginning

At this scale, a globe becomes far more than an enlargement of a smaller work. Each project begins with its own research and develops through original cartography, drawing, illustration, typography, colour and materials. The sphere itself is constructed by hand before the artwork is etched, printed, painted and applied across its surface.

Current works include a monumental globe inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy and a new 108 cm Celestial Globe.

Leonardo Frigo presenting his globes to visitors in the studio, a large sphere behind him

A singular commission

Monumental Globes are conceived primarily as bespoke commissions, developed in close conversation with the collector, institution or setting for which they are made. A commission may begin with a place, a historical period, a literary work, a celestial subject or an entirely new idea.

From the first research to the final structure and finish, every element can become part of the work. Only a very limited number of monumental projects can be undertaken.