Florence, dismantled the equestrian monument of Cosimo I, a masterpiece by Giambologna, for restoration

The restoration of the equestrian monument of Cosimo I de’ Medici, the masterpiece by Giambologna (Jean de Boulogne; Douai, 1529 - Florence, 1608) located in the center of Piazza della Signoria in Florence, has officially begun. After diagnostic investigations were carried out this summer on the bronze statue, the monument was dismantled yesterday morning for restoration. To complete the massive operation, a crane was needed to lift the Grand Duke of Tuscany by placing it on a wooden support. Cosimo I and horse will be back together at the end of the work, scheduled for March.

The results of the analyses conducted in the summer (they were carried out noninvasively, in order to monitor above all the state of preservation of the metal structures inside the legs of the horse on which the monument rests) showed that the structures are solid, but the statue and horse will still undergo work, to stop oxidation and protect the work from corrosion. The inside of the horse, which has a cavity under the saddle, will also be entrusted to the care of restorers, who will also treat the interior walls with specific protective substances.

The last dismantling of the equestrian statue of Cosimo I dates back to World War II when the work was moved to protect it from bombing, while the last external restoration was in the 1990s.

The work is being directed by the City’s Fine Arts Service, with high supervision by SABAP Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio (official Dr. Maria Maugeri); carried out by Cooperativa Archeologia with restorers Nicola Salvioli (restoration of the David and bronze parts) and Stefano Landi (stone materials) with the support of CNR (National Research Council) for diagnostic investigations.

“It was really exciting to see the statue practically split in two,” commented Mayor Dario Nardella, “for this innovative and accurate restoration practice. We can’t wait for Cosimo I to shine again with his original beauty and with him the other statues in the square.”

The restoration is made possible thanks to an agreement between the City of Florence and the Florentine fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A., which, through Art Bonus, has given a liberal disbursement of more than one million euros. The agreement with Ferragamo, which followed the one that led to the restoration of the majestic Ammannati fountain in Piazza della Signoria (completed in 2019), has already seen the restoration of the David in Piazzale Michelangelo completed and will then continue with Baccio Bandinelli’s Hercules and Cacus and the copy of Michelangelo’s David placed at the entrance to Palazzo Vecchio and the copy of Judith and Holofernes on the Arengario.

Florence, dismantled the equestrian monument of Cosimo I, a masterpiece by Giambologna, for restoration

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.