TheEquestrian Monument of Ferdinando I is a bronze equestrian statue byGiambologna, executed in 1602–1607, and erected in 1608 in thePiazza of the Annunziata inFlorence, region ofTuscany,Italy.
The monument was commissioned byCosimo II, son ofFerdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, from an elderGiambologna, and was meant to be modeled on the similarEquestrian statue of Cosimo I that stands in thePiazza della Signoria.
This project was mainly completed by his pupilPietro Tacca, and the statue was cast in 1602 and inaugurated at the site in 1608 during the festivities celebrating the marriage of Prince Cosimo II withMaria Maddalena d'Austria.
Grandduke Ferdinand wears armour emblazoned on the chest with theCross of Santo Stefano, an equestrian Order established by Cosimo the elder.[1] It is said the statue was cast with cannons taken from the Turks by the Knights of Santo Stefano.[2]
Flanking the statue some yards to the rear of the horse are twomannerist fountains with marine gargoyles, theFontana dei mostri marini, also created by Tacca though initially intended to be placed at the statue of Ferdinand inLivorno.
43°46′35″N11°15′38″E / 43.77636°N 11.26050°E /43.77636; 11.26050
 | This sculpture article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |