Monument to Giovanni delle Bande Nere, Renaissance marble sculpture in Piazza San Lorenzo, Florence, Italy
The Monument to Giovanni delle Bande Nere on Piazza San Lorenzo in Florence shows a military commander seated in armor, holding a command staff across his knee. The figure rests on a decorated base with classical architectural elements, situated in an open plaza setting.
The work was commissioned by Cosimo I de Medici in 1540 but remained unfinished after the artist Bandinelli died in 1560. The monument was moved to its current location on Piazza San Lorenzo in 1850.
The plinth shows detailed carvings of soldiers with captives and classical ornaments including garlands and columns. These elements tell a story about power and military achievement through images that catch your eye as you walk past.
The monument stands at the northwest corner of Piazza San Lorenzo, close to public transportation stops. The plaza is easy to reach and offers open access without restrictions.
The seated pose of the military leader is unusual since military monuments of that era typically showed standing figures. This choice makes the work stand out from traditional depictions of warriors in Renaissance sculpture.
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