Allegory of Prince Francesco I de'Medici

The protagonist of this relief is Francesco de'Medici (1541-1587). His is the figure at the right, whom the gods' messenger, Mercury, leads by the hand, towards a female figure that has been identified as an embodiment of the city of Florence. On the left of the composition are diverse mythological and allegorical figures, including a fluvial personification who probably represents the Arno River. There is also a representation of Saturn devouring one of his sons, and two groups of three figures, always with a clock in their hands. They are an allusion to the passage of time. This relief, with... Mehr ...