Bust of Cosimo I 1544

Benvenuto Cellini’s bronze bust of Cosimo I de’ Medici, created in 1544, stands as a testament to the artist’s mastery of Renaissance sculpture. The work, housed in the Bargello in Florence, depicts the Duke of Florence in an armor, a symbol of his military prowess. Cellini’s attention to detail, from the intricate rendering of Cosimo’s facial features to the meticulously crafted armor, is characteristic of his High Renaissance style. The bust, celebrating the Duke’s power and authority, is an example of the Italian Renaissance interest in portraying individuals in a realistic and idealized way.