We locate a widening for the intersection of many roads after passing Ponte Vecchio in the direction of via Guicciardini. A bronze figure is situated inside a niche that is visible on the right side of Borgo S. Jacopo. The artwork is a replica of the Bacchus created by the Flemish artist Jean de Boulogne (Giambologna) during his childhood. Using a Roman tank from the nearby Fountain of Hercules and Nessus, architect Francesco Leoni created a niche in the family of circles’ residence at the end of the nineteenth century. Inside, he placed a pedestal with an effigy of Leonin, and above it, a bronze statue of Bacchus.
The legendary sculptor Giambologna was identified as the creator of the piece that was previously credited to a student of the renowned Benvenuto Cellini. The spectator participates in the activity taken by the statue when it pays the liquid by the cup. From the lion’s jaws came a torrent of water.
Given the destruction of the entire region surrounding the ancient bridge, it was positioned in a safe site during the Second World War, more than accurately. The new Roman niche with another tank was rebuilt at the end of the 1950s, and the statue was recently transported to the National Museum of the Bargello following repair work. A replica made by the creative foundry Ferdinando Mannelli was placed in its stead.
A teenage tourist has been attacking the monument recently, climbing on it to fake a kiss and a sexual scene. This shows disrespect for both the city that welcomes the “tourist” and the artwork.
