Captive slave or Moor from the Livorno monument, late 19th century, after P

Captive Moor
Bronze with brown and gold patina
Dimensions: H. 42 (cm.)
Late 19th century

Later reduction of one of the four very important bronzes adorning the pedestal of the monument to Ferdinand de' Medici in Livorno.

As part of a policy of urban development in the Duchy of Tuscany, Ferdinand I de' Medici commissioned a number of monuments, mainly in Florence and Pisa, but also in Livorno.
The best artists and craftsmen were hired to embellish the Tuscan cities: Jean de Bologne, Pierre de Francqueville and Giovanni Bandini.

In 1595, he was commissioned to create a monumental sculpture. Completed shortly before his death, it was shipped to Livorno in 1601, but had to wait sixteen years before being erected.
More than an official representation, the articulation of this work between the pedestal holding four captives, and the monumental full-length portrait of Ferdinand I is a true political message: the Grand Duke, as Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of Saint Stephen, had a duty to protect the Italian coasts from invasions by “Barbary” pirates.

This is how Cosimo II commissioned Tacca to create this important ensemble, a veritable synthesis of sculpture research at the turn of the 17th century. The execution of this ducal commission should be compared with the captives in the Monument équestre d'Henri IV, executed at the same time by Francqueville.

Condition report: minor wear to patina