The son of the founder of the Vatican Museum, he became the European authority on ancient sculpture, published the catalogue of the Museo Pio-Clementino and was commissioner for antiquities at the Louvre. His Latin epitaph calls him “the most learned of philologists” and has him die in 1828, ten years too late.
The story
The Latin epitaph, placed there by his friend Pierre Collot, his wife Theresia Doria and his sons, calls Ennio Quirino Visconti “doctissimi philologorum” — the most learned of philologists. It also carves “MDCCCXXVIII”: 1828, ten years after his actual death. One X too many in the Roman numerals.
Born in Rome on 30 October 1751, son of Giovanni Battista Visconti, founder of the Vatican Museum, he grew up among marbles, took a doctorate in canon and Roman law and became sub-librarian of the Vatican in 1771. Commissioner of antiquities in Rome, then curator at the Louvre, he established himself as Europe's authority on ancient sculpture and published, in seven volumes, the catalogue of the Museo Pio-Clementino, the collection of the popes.
He died in Paris on 7 February 1818. The monument in Division 4 carries two sculptures: a bust of Ennio by David d'Angers, and a statue of his son Louis by Leharivel-Durocher.
Louis Visconti, who died in 1853, lies with him. He was the architect of Napoleon's tomb at the Invalides and of the New Louvre project — the father catalogued the antiquities, the son built the house that shelters them.
The grave
A monument that carries two sculptures and one error. The sculptures first: a bust of Ennio by David d'Angers and a statue of his son Louis by Leharivel-Durocher. Then the error, in the Latin epitaph placed by his friend Pierre Collot, his wife Theresia Doria and his sons Sigismond and Louis: the text has him die “VII id Febra MDCCCXXVIII” — on 7 February 1828 — when he died in 1818, at the age of sixty-four, which the same line gives correctly. He is named there “doctissimi philologorum”, the most learned of philologists. Louis Visconti, who died on 29 December 1853, rests with him.
On site, do not miss
A bust by David d'Angers for the father, a statue by Leharivel-Durocher for the son. In the Latin epitaph, an error of ten years: “MDCCCXXVIII” for 1818.
Visitors' questions
Where is Ennio Quirino Visconti's grave?
In Division 4, avenue Principale, first row. The monument carries two works: a bust of Ennio by David d'Angers and a statue of his son Louis, the architect, by Leharivel-Durocher. The epitaph is in Latin.
Louis ViscontiIs there a mistake on his epitaph?
Yes, of ten years: the Latin text carves MDCCCXXVIII — 1828 — when he died on 7 February 1818, at sixty-six. One letter too many in the Roman numerals, and ten years adrift.
Vivant DenonWho was his father?
Giovanni Battista Antonio Visconti, founder of the Vatican Museum. Ennio grew up among the marbles, took a doctorate in canon and Roman law, then wrote the catalogue of the Museo Pio-Clementino, in seven volumes.
Gaspard MongeIs his son buried with him?
Yes: Louis Visconti (1791-1853), architect of Napoleon's tomb at the Invalides and of the New Louvre project. A statue by Leharivel-Durocher shows him on the monument, beside the bust of his father by David d'Angers.
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