Standing in the Loggia dei Lanzi of the famous Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy, ‘Perseus with the Head of Medusa’ is one of sculptor Benvenuto Cellini’s most famous works. It depicts the dark and foreboding bronze of the Greek hero Perseus holding up the severed and bloody head of the gorgon Medusa, which gazes at the other statues around it as if she has turned them to stone.
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Commissioned by Duke Cosimo I de Medici and unveiled in 1554, it is one of the most significant examples of Italian Mannerist sculpture in existence and is rich in symbolism. However, since it is located near other Renaissance masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s David, Bandinelli’s Hercules and Cacus and Donatello’s Judith and Holofernes, it is often overlooked.
Nonetheless, it is still recognised by many as a masterpiece. Charlie Chaplin once remarked, “one night, with the square all lit up, I was drawn to the David by Michelangelo. But as soon as I saw Perseus, everything else faded away. I was charmed by the extraordinary balance in his magnificent proportions.”
Here’s the history of Cellini’s masterpiece.
Benvenuto Cellini, who sculpted Perseus with the Head of Medusa, boasts a reputation as a troubled genius. He had many brushes with the law in his lifetime and has been variously described as vain and wild.
Born in Florence in 1500, Cellini was banished aged 16 for taking part in an affray (public fighting). In 1548, he was accused by a woman of having committed sodomy with her son. He subsequently fled to Venice. In total, he was accused of sodomy once with a woman and at least three times with men during his lifetime, and was once sentenced to pay 12 staia of flour.
He also confesses to three murders in The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini, stating that he stabbed his brother’s murderer to death, killed a rival goldsmith and shot an innkeeper dead.
His life was as notable as his sculptures: one critic wrote, “other goldsmiths have done finer work, but Benvenuto Cellini is the author of the most delightful autobiography ever written.”
Perseus standing on the slain body of Medusa.
Benvenuto Cellini sculpted Perseus with the Head of Medusa between 1545 and 1554. It was commissioned by the Duke of Florence Cosimo I, who was a significant patron and advocate for the arts, learning and philosophy.
The statue was placed in the city’s central Piazza della Signoria, under the Loggia dei Lanzi, which was and continues to be a centre of political focus in the city. The location was and still is home to other statues, all politically or artistically related to each other and the Medici.
The beheaded Medusa underneath Perseus’ feet represents the Republic that the Medici faction overthrew in 1434 under Cosimo, while the snakes coming out of the gorgon’s body symbolise the disagreements in the city which threatened democracy.
Most symbolic is Perseus himself, who, a domineering figure, celebrates the control of the Medici over the Florentine people entirely.
The sculpture’s relief panel also pays tribute to other Medici family members. Perseus on the relief represents Duke Francesco while Andromeda represents his Hapsburg wife, Giovanna. Similarly, Andromeda is an allegory for Florence, while Perseus represents the Medici dynasty swooping down to save the city.
Moreover, Perseus with the Head of Medusa is surrounded by three huge marble statues of Hercules, David and later Neptune. Cellini breathes further life into his creation by suggesting that his mighty Medusa turned the other sculptors’ creations to stone. Finally, as a nod to the creator, Cellini depicts himself in a self-portrait on the back of Perseus’ helmet.
Sculptures at Loggia dei Lanzi and Florence Palazzo Vecchio on Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy.
At the time Cellini’s sculpture was created, bronze had not been used for a monumental work of art for almost half a century. Cellini was keen to be regarded as highly as other famous Renaissance sculptors such as Michelangelo, so decided to complete the entire cast all at once, rather than in separate parts.
The story goes that as the bronze was being cast in Cellini’s workshop, the incapacitated sculptor lay dying on his sickbed. A storm broke at night, and his assistants failed to notice that the metal was beginning to clot as it cooled. Cellini jumped from his bed and ordered that everything be thrown into the fire to raise the heat. It worked, and the sculpture was saved.
Cellini likened this revival to raising the dead, both because he saved a great work of art but also because he himself was raised from his deathbed.
Once the sculpture was cooled, a long polishing process which started in 1549 was required. It was finally completed in 1554 and then presented in the square to great acclaim.
Listen NowWhat’s not interesting about a statue depicting a Greek hero triumphantly holding the severed head of a creature that turns people into stone statues!? (My how the tables have turned….)
Antonio Canova had the right idea when he did exactly that! Let’s look at this daring sculpture of Perseus with the Head of Medusa and see what details we can uncover!
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Antonio Canova (1757-1822) holds the prestige of being a great Italian Neoclassical sculptor. His works were inspired by classical antiquities and looked beyond the excessive Baroque and Rococo styles. His sculptures speak to us through myth and expert positioning. Beyond sculpting, Canova oversaw the return of antiquities taken by Napoleon to Rome.
Apollo BelvedereHis statue Perseus with the Head of Medusa has an interesting tale. It was ordered by Countess Valeria Tarnowska of Poland. Created around 1804-6, it currently rests at the Metropolitan Museum. Yet, this Perseus sculpture is a replica of Canova’s 1801 Perseus Triumphant at the Vatican which is based loosely on the Apollo Belvedere. The Apollo was taken from the Vatican by Napoleon. In fact, Pope Pius VII had Canova’s statue replace the Apollo until its return.
Percy Jackson fans probably know a little bit about the terrifying Medusa but I’ll still throw in my two cents. Medusa is a gorgon creature with snakes for hair (yuck!) and had the horrifying ability to turn men into stone. Warning: avert your eyes or risk this fate!
To stop her stone-turning craziness, our Greek hero Perseus stepped up! Perseus is the demigod son of Zeus and with his fighting skills (and a little help) he slayed Medusa by cutting off her head!
Canova’s Perseus with the Head of Medusa, © The MetCanova’s statue depicts Perseus victoriously holding Medusa’s severed head. Medusa’s face is horrified yet still pays tribute to her former beauty. Perseus wears the Cap of Hades. It turned him invisible so Medusa couldn’t see him as they fought! He’s also wearing Hermes’ winged sandals to help him move swiftly in battle. One hand holds a harpe sword with its sickle-like extension to, I guess, help make the killing easier. All these elements make a recipe of disaster for Medusa!
For a deeper dive into Perseus’ mythological Medusa adventure, click here!
Canova’s sculpture takes advantage of the body and movement to make a statement! Perseus’ body is well-proportioned and has a full musculature. The drape falling down his left arm frames the sweep of this ideal male body.
Looking good and probably feeling victorious, Perseus stands confidently as he presents his prize to the world. Check out Perseus’ feet. His left foot is placed in front while his right is slightly lifted. This upward and outward sweeping movement combined with his extending hand, creates a triumphantly powerful pose. His body exudes strength and power. Furthermore, by gazing at Medusa’s head, Perseus emphasizes his victory for he overcame Medusa’s stone-turning cruelty. In all, Medusa is no longer a threat to hide from.
Try it for yourself and mimic Perseus’ pose. What do you feel? Educator Emmanuel von Schack provides his own answer saying,
“When I assumed the pose of Perseus, I felt a sense of power, confidence, and strength.“
Emmanuel von Schack
Canova’s statue may not be able to physically speak, but it sure has a lot to say thanks to his dynamic movement and body language!
A powerful character like Perseus needs a daring creator! In fact, Canova took a risk sculpting a character with slender yet unsupported limbs. Would the marble support the weight? We’re lucky it did!
With this successful and inspiring sculpture, the Metropolitan Museum wanted visitors to receive the best viewing experience. Thus, the statue is located at the end of a narrow hallway to direct our viewing. We approach Perseus from the front so, the closer we are, the more striking it gets. Then, we are able to circle around the statue to soak in the incredible detail.
It’s grand, no?
The tale of Perseus and Medusa has intrigued people for centuries. There are modern day adaptions like Riordan’s Percy Jackson. But there are plenty of Perseus and Medusa art. Canova even based Medusa’s head off of the Rondanini Medusa antique. Now at the Uffizi, Caravaggio painted the gory severed head of Medusa on a shield. Benvenuto Cellini has his own Perseus and Medusa statue in Florence’s Loggia dei Lanzi. And these are just a few extra works! Do you know any others?
For more beastly creatures, check out our Beauty and the Bestiary Louvre Hunt! Also, stay tuned for a future Metropolitan Museum hunt! We’re expanding! Yay! 🙂
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If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Bronze Perseus figure statue.