Monument to Philip IV of Spain, Bronze equestrian monument in Plaza de Oriente, Spain.
The Monument to Philip IV is a bronze equestrian statue in Plaza de Oriente where the horse rests on its rear legs with the tail providing additional support. The sculpture occupies the center of the square and offers direct sightlines to the Royal Palace of Madrid from this vantage point.
The sculpture was created by Pietro Tacca in Florence starting in 1640, based on designs by the artist Diego Velázquez. The Italian sculptor received technical advice from Galileo Galilei to solve the challenging balance required for the horse composition.
The monument displays two marble bas-reliefs at its base, one showing Philip IV presenting the Cross of Santiago to the artist Velázquez. This scene reflects the close bond between the king and his art-loving courtiers.
The monument stands in the center of Plaza de Oriente, surrounded by gardens where you can view it from different angles. The best angle for photographs is from the north side of the square, where the palace appears in the background.
The entire structure weighs nine tons but was cast with varying bronze thicknesses, the horse's head being thinner than the massive rear quarters. This weight-balancing system was necessary to achieve the remarkable balance of the animal resting on just its rear legs.
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