"Rising Above" — The Historic Vatican Lotus Bronze Sculpture
The monumental bronze masterpiece, "Rising Above," stands as one of the most prestigious artistic achievements of sculptor Geoffrey C. Smith's career. Created as an intricate celebration of resilience and natural grace, this iconic limited-edition bronze lotus sculpture earned international historic distinction when it was chosen as an official United States diplomatic gift. Today, it resides permanently within the prestigious fine art collection at the Vatican in Rome, serving as an enduring symbol of peace, renewal, and American craftsmanship.
The Everglades Inspiration: Artistry in the River of Grass
In 2017, Geoffrey C. Smith’s bronze sculpture Rising Above Lotus was presented to Pope Francis as an official diplomatic gift from the President of the United States. This extraordinary honor reflects the universal message of the work, A Celebration of Peace, Unity, and the Triumph of the Human Spirit.
The sculpture depicts a lotus blossom rising through water, a symbol of purity and strength emerging from challenging circumstances. Today, this piece is part of the Vatican’s permanent art collection, joining a legacy of cultural and artistic treasures shared between nations.
“I first came across the lotus while taking my children out on a boat in the Everglades,” remembers Geoffrey. "Even with all the magnificent wildlife in the River of Grass to draw your eye, the lotus is impossible to miss - it's absolutely mesmerizing."
A Historic Diplomatic Gift to Pope Francis
In a historic moment of international diplomacy, "Rising Above" was selected by the United States government to be presented to Pope Francis on behalf of the American people. This extraordinary votive bronze sculpture was chosen for its universal spiritual themes of hope and elevation. Hand-cast in premium bronze and finished with a custom, multi-layered archival patina, the sculpture represents the pinnacle of contemporary American wildlife and botanical art. Its inclusion in the Vatican’s permanent cultural archives firmly cements Geoffrey C. Smith's legacy among the premier sculptors of the 21st century.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Featured and reported globally by NPR, national media, and international press during the 2017 United States Presidential diplomatic visit to the Vatican.
Geoffrey's Sketches
Clay Sculpture
Lotus at the Foundry
"Rising Above"
Lotus Sculpture
Acquire a Piece of Fine Art History
While the monumental original resides permanently in Rome, a strictly limited selection of studio-scale archival castings of the "Rising Above" Lotus were created for private collectors.
This represents the only opportunity to acquire this historically significant series directly from the artist's atelier. Once the final casting is acquired, the archival edition will close permanently.