Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany 1675 - 1687

Giovanni Battista Foggini sculpted this marble bust of Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany, capturing the essence of Baroque grandeur. Consider the elaborate wig, a symbol of status and power during the 17th century. In ancient Rome, hairstyles signified social standing, yet these elaborate wigs echo a similar sentiment. Like the laurel wreaths of emperors, the wig elevates the wearer, connecting him to a lineage of authority. Interestingly, the lace jabot at his neck mirrors the delicate folds of drapery seen in classical sculptures of gods and heroes. It evokes a sense of timelessness, linking Ferdinando to an idealized past. This recurring motif speaks to humanity's deep-seated need to connect with history, to find meaning in the echoes of bygone eras.