Perseus
by Benvenuto CELLINI

The sculpture shows Perseus, holding the head of the Medusa which he has cut off and from whose blood the winged horse Pegasus will be born. This masterpiece in bronze was sculpted between 1545 and 1554 for the Loggia dei Lanzi (an open-air gallery) and has stood there ever since. The sculpture can be considered as the reult of a direct competition with Donatello's earlier sculpture, Judith and Holophernes.

The modelling of the statuettes in bronze on the marble base is so exquisitely done that it suggests the precision of the goldsmith rather than the sculptor's art.

Preview Picture Data File Info Comment
Perseus with the Head of Medusa
1545-54
Bronze, height 550 cm
Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence

1800*2400
True Color
282 Kb



Perseus with the Head of Medusa
1545-54
Bronze, height 550 cm
Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence

1527*2400
True Color
244 Kb



Perseus with the Head of Medusa
1545-54
Bronze, height 550 cm
Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence

800*1445
True Color
161 Kb



Perseus with the Head of Medusa
1545-54
Bronze, height 550 cm
Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence

1006*1400
True Color
173 Kb



Perseus with the Head of Medusa
1545-54
Bronze, height 550 cm
Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence

1012*1300
True Color
169 Kb



Perseus (detail)
1545-54
Bronze
Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence

950*1649
True Color
149 Kb



Perseus (detail)
1545-54
Bronze
Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence

2196*1100
True Color
196 Kb



Perseus with the Head of Medusa (detail)
1545-54
Marble and bronze
Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence

997*1400
True Color
205 Kb



Base of the statue of Perseus: Mercury
1545-54
Bronze
Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence

1238*2200
True Color
258 Kb



Base of the statue of Perseus: Danaë
1545-54
Bronze
Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence

1238*2200
True Color
269 Kb



Base of the statue of Perseus: Jupiter
1545-54
Bronze
Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence

1238*2200
True Color
271 Kb



Base of the statue of Perseus: Minerva
1545-54
Bronze
Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence

1153*2050
True Color
287 Kb



Perseus
1545
Wax, height 72 cm
Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence

1033*1000
True Color
77 Kb



Perseus
1540s
Bronze, height 75 cm
Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence

1006*1584
True Color
152 Kb



Perseus
1540s
Bronze, height 75 cm
Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence

1000*1584
True Color
134 Kb




Summary of works by Benvenuto Cellini
Perseus | other bronze statues
salt cellar | medals and coins
sculptures in marble
decorated armour | graphics