Lost wax bronze replica from original mold.
Author: Benvenuto Cellini (1500-1571)
Period: 1552
The statue of Zeus is part of the group of four statuettes at the base of the Perseus by Cellini. Zeus is in fact the father of Perseus, conceived together with Danae, imprisoned in a bronze tower by his father Acrisio, after having lowered himself inside the prison in the form of drops of golden rain. Zeus will save his beloved Danae and his son Perseus by transporting them on the sea to the island of Serifo and subsequently helping Perseus, through the intercession of Mercury and Minerva, to defeat the Gorgon Medusa. Erected as defender of the two defenseless figures, he will allegorically represent the figure of Cosimo I de 'Medici, hegemon, governor and protector of the city of Florence. The original masterpiece is now kept in the Bargello National Museum, Florence. The replica that replaced the original under the Loggia de 'Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria (Florence) was cast by the Frilli Gallery.
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