After Benvenuto Cellini

After BENVENUTO CELLINI (Florence, 1500–1571)
“Perseus with the Head of Medusa.”
Patinated bronze on a rouge griotte red marble base.
In good condition, with some minor scuffs on the patina.
Measurements: 115 x 28 x 28 cm.

This sculpture is a reproduction of one of the masterpieces of Italian Mannerism, the famous “Perseus with the Head of Medusa” by Benvenuto Cellini, created between 1545 and 1554 on commission from Cosimo I de’ Medici for the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence’s Piazza della Signoria. The composition depicts the mythological hero triumphant over the decapitated body of Medusa, whose head he holds aloft while wielding his sword with his other hand. The figure’s contrapposto, anatomical precision, and the contained tension of his posture reflect the sculptural ideals of Florentine Mannerism, characterized by formal elegance and technical virtuosity.

This version stands out for reproducing not only the main figure but also the elaborate architectural pedestal of the original, conceived in the style of a Renaissance altar and embellished with niches housing small mythological figures, mascarons, volutes, and ornamental motifs. The meticulousness of these elements reflects Cellini’s training as a goldsmith, which is particularly evident in the treatment of the sculptural details. The stepped red marble base completes a work of remarkable presence, linked to the tradition of reproductions of great Italian Renaissance works that became particularly widespread during the 19th century, spurred by collecting and the Grand Tour.