Fine Bronze Perseus with the Head of Medusa after Cellini

Very fine, large scale full length 19th Century Grand Tour patinated library bronze model reduction of Perseus with the severed head of the gorgon Medusa after the original by Benvenuto Cellini (1500-1571) in the Loggia dei Lanzi in the Piazza della Signoria in Florence. Commissioned by Cosimo de'Medici in 1545 it was completed in 1554. Perseus stands naked except for a sash (inscribed with the sculptor's name) and winged sandals, triumphant on top of the body of Medusa with her head, crowned with writhing snakes, in his raised hand. As with the original, the statue sits on a square base with four niches in which sit four bronze figures that represent key characters from the story of Perseus – Jupiter, Mercury, Minerva and Danae with Perseus as a child. Rare elegant example with a rich dark patination. Florence, Italy, circa 1880.

H96cm x W 24.5cm x D 24.5cm

SOLD