Florence Triumphant over Pisa 1565

This terracotta sculpture ‘Florence Triumphant over Pisa’ was fashioned by the Flemish sculptor, Giambologna, who was active in Florence in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The sculpture allegorically represents Florence's military victory over its rival, Pisa, in the 15th century. The idealized female figure of Florence stands triumphantly over the ruins, the crushed stone symbolizing the defeated city of Pisa. Giambologna was closely associated with the Medici court, who effectively used art to promote their political power. This sculpture, therefore, reflects the political climate of the time, commemorating Florence's dominance in the region and the Medici's patronage of the arts. Historical records, including Medici family papers and Giambologna’s workshop inventories, provide valuable context for understanding the cultural and political significance of artworks like this, and the self-conscious projection of power in art.