|
By 1568 de' Rossi had executed the over life-size marble groups of Hercules and Nessus and Hercules and Cacus for a monumental fountain (unfinished). Possibly commissioned in December 1560 and begun as early as 1561-62, the fountain was to have symbolized the fortitude and virtue of Cosimo I. A preparatory drawing (Cooper-Hewitt Museum, New York) shows that it was intended to have twelve such groups showing the Labours of Hercules ranged in tiers above eight bronze reliefs and punctuated on the rim of the basin by Cosimo de' Medici's capricorns. Of the seven marbles executed, at least three are generally ascribed to de' Rossi: the two mentioned above and Hercules and Antaeus (all Palazzo Vecchio, Florence). It is assumed by scholars that the other four were executed in Rossi's workshop.
|
