Horses of Mochi, Bronze equestrian monument series in Piazza Cavalli, Piacenza, Italy

The Horses of Mochi are two bronze equestrian statues on Piazza Cavalli in Piacenza, made by Francesco Mochi between 1612 and 1629. They depict Ranuccio I Farnese, holding a diploma, and his father Alessandro, whose cloak billows in the wind. Each rider sits on a rearing horse above a tall marble base with bronze reliefs, curved inscribed plaques, putti holding coats of arms, and a low rectangular railing.

The statues were commissioned by Piacenza's citizens after the 1611 Sanvitale conspiracy to rebuild trust with Duke Ranuccio I Farnese. Francesco Mochi arrived in June 1612; the Ranuccio statue was cast in 1619 and completed in 1620, while the Alessandro Farnese monument was inaugurated in 1625. The bronze reliefs on the bases were installed in 1628.

The statues show features between the Renaissance and Baroque styles, with dynamic poses and fine details that were modern at the time. You can see how the artists wanted to bring the horses and riders to life.

The statues stand on the main square of Piacenza, where you can view them from various angles. The square is easily accessible and the bronze figures are visible from near and far.

The two riders were cast from life: Ranuccio's face was modelled from the living duke before the July 1619 casting, while Alessandro's monument, inaugurated in 1625, shows a horse with disordered mane and burning gaze. Mochi studied the Horses of San Marco in Venice in 1616, and their influence is visible in both works.