Perseus with Head of Medusa PHM2200

 Experience the Power of Bronze: Cellini's Masterpiece and the Renaissance Legacy

Step into the world of myth, mastery, and political intrigue with "Perseus with the Head of Medusa", one of the most iconic bronze sculptures of the Renaissance. Created by the legendary Benvenuto Cellini between 1545 and 1554, this monumental work continues to captivate art lovers, historians, and sculptors alike.

Standing at an awe-inspiring total height of 17 feet (5.19 meters)—including its intricate pedestal—the statue itself rises 10 feet (3.05 meters) tall, with a width of 4 feet 4 inches (1.32 meters) and depth of 4 feet 6 inches (1.37 meters). Displayed in Florence’s Loggia dei Lanzi, it commands the Piazza della Signoria with a blend of elegance and dominance.

But this is more than a sculpture. It is a story carved in bronze:

The Myth: Perseus, son of Zeus, defeats the monstrous Medusa—whose gaze could turn men to stone—using divine tools and unmatched cunning. Holding her severed head aloft, Perseus becomes a symbol of heroism, intellect, and the triumph of good over evil.

Cosimo I de' Medici
1545

The Message: Commissioned by Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici, the piece served as a political symbol of Medici power. Just as Perseus subdued chaos, so too did the Duke assert control over Florence. Cellini’s sculpture was a bold visual declaration of authority in a public square, strategically placed among rival masterpieces.

The Legacy: The brilliance of Cellini’s lost-wax casting technique and sculptural detail lives on today through the work of modern masters like Lorenzo Ghiglieri and the artisans at Foundry Michelangelo. While not directly linked to Cellini, Ghiglieri’s work continues this Renaissance legacy—drawing on the same traditions of mythological storytelling, technical excellence, and bronze mastery. Foundry Michelangelo remains a keeper of this ancient craft, using the very same techniques Cellini once employed.

Medusa - Clash of the Titans (c) 1981 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved

Power. Precision. Legacy. Let bronze tell the story.

Visit us at ArtFactory.com  to witness how these timeless traditions endure. See how the spirit of Perseus lives on in the heroic bronzes of Lorenzo Ghiglieri and the enduring craftsmanship of Foundry Michelangelo.