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Bronze bust of Cosimo I de' Medici
This bronze bust was the first work of Benvenuto Cellini (1500-1571), the Renaissance mannerist sculptor, goldsmith, technical writer and author, to be commissioned by Cosimo I (1519-1574), second Duke of Florence. He eventually became the first Grand Duke of Tuscany. Cosimo wanted to see whether Cellini would be able to produce a monumental metal bust similar to those of classical antiquity. It was created in 1546-1547, 110 cm in height, in bronze with some gilding. Cosimo is portrayed in an ancient Roman style cuirasse with much decoration. Between 1557 and 1781 it was mounted on the door of the fortress in Portoferraio on the Island of Elba. It is now located in the Bargello in Florence.
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