Disquieting statue in the Uffizi Gallery
Disquieting statue
Have you ever looked at the disquieting statue situtated in the western corridor of the Uffizi gallery?
The Roman statute represents Marsyas who is going to die... Marsyas was a satyr: he dared challenge Apollo in a music competition but Apollo was the God of music. The satyr obviously lost so Apollo tied Marsyas to a tree and flayed him. The particular red colour comes from a kind of marble called "pavonazzetto" (a variety of Carrara marble) and reminds us the blood of a flayed body!!
Cosimo the Elder purchased the statue and showed it at the entrance of the new palace Michelozzo had just completed, Palazzo Medici, becoming a warning for all people who wanted to be received by Cosimo.
Cosimo the Elder, as we know, governed Florence establishing a "cripto-signoria", an hidden government. In fact, he didn't want to contrast Florentine Republic to risk the exile for the second time but the particular position he chose for the Masyas suggests us he was really sure about himself and he certainly knew people and Florentine population supported him.....Don't you think the same?
The Roman statute represents Marsyas who is going to die... Marsyas was a satyr: he dared challenge Apollo in a music competition but Apollo was the God of music. The satyr obviously lost so Apollo tied Marsyas to a tree and flayed him. The particular red colour comes from a kind of marble called "pavonazzetto" (a variety of Carrara marble) and reminds us the blood of a flayed body!!
Cosimo the Elder purchased the statue and showed it at the entrance of the new palace Michelozzo had just completed, Palazzo Medici, becoming a warning for all people who wanted to be received by Cosimo.
Cosimo the Elder, as we know, governed Florence establishing a "cripto-signoria", an hidden government. In fact, he didn't want to contrast Florentine Republic to risk the exile for the second time but the particular position he chose for the Masyas suggests us he was really sure about himself and he certainly knew people and Florentine population supported him.....Don't you think the same?
Altri articoli
A giraffe in Palazzo Vecchio
The animal was a gift the Egyptian sultan offered to Lorenzo in 1487 to obtain his support.
The Votive Art of Shadow of the Evening
In the Labyrinth of Time.
Johann Zoffany painted the Tribune
If you want to know the paintings and the statues situated in the XVIII century inside the Tribune look at the painting below!
Perseus and Benvenuto Cellini.
Cellini signed his masterpiece on the belt of the hero but, if you turn around the statue and look at this nape you will notice his self-portrait!