Portrait of Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany

Description Cosimo III de' Medici (1642-1723) ruled Tuscany for more than 50 years. Although his reign was an economic disaster, he was a great collector and patron of the arts, initiating a new golden age of sculpture in Florence. The duke was not attractive, but Soldani created a dignified portrait, combining a lively expression and splendid armor, engraved with the cross of the military order of St. Stephen of which he was Grand Master. The naturalism and vigor Soldani imparts to his works mark him as the last in the great tradition of Florentine bronze sculptors that began in the 15th century.

Exhibitions

• Baroque Portraiture in Italy. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota. 1984-1985.
• Arte e Manifattura di corte a Firenze dal tramonto dei Medici all'Impero (1732-1815). Il Polo Museale Fiorentino, Firenze. 2006.

Provenance Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1931 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, 1931