Italian Mythological Bronze Sculpture of Perseus and Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini

Description

An important 20th-century Italian bronze sculpture depicting Perseus with the head of Medusa, created after the model of the celebrated Mannerist masterpiece by Benvenuto Cellini.

Perseus is shown triumphant over the defeated body of Medusa, holding the severed head of the Gorgon aloft in one hand. The composition is notable for its strong verticality, precise anatomical modeling, and the dramatic, theatrical intensity of the mythological subject.

The sculpture was cast in bronze by an Italian foundry and retains its beautiful original patina, characterized by rich brown tones, darker shades, and natural surface variations that have developed over time.

The high quality of the casting is particularly evident in the anatomical definition of Perseus, the features of the faces, the rendering of the hair and hands, the head of Medusa, and the numerous decorative elements that make up the work.

The elaborate pedestal further contributes to the sculpture’s monumental character, featuring rich architectural and figurative details inspired by Cellini’s celebrated composition, which is housed in Florence. The sculpture is completed by a marble base.

The original model by Benvenuto Cellini, created for Cosimo I de’ Medici and still located under the Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria in Florence, represents one of the greatest masterpieces of Italian Mannerist sculpture.

A work of significant decorative presence, capable of combining the Italian tradition of bronze casting, classical mythology, and the legacy of great Renaissance sculpture.

Dimensions:
Height: 110 cm
Width: 25 cm
Depth: 25 cm