RUSTICI, Giovanni Francesco
(b. 1475, Firenze, d. 1554, Tours)

Battle scene

1520s
Terracotta, height 47 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

Vasari recorded that Rustici modelled in terracotta some groups of horses with men on or under them, and several survive (Bargello and Palazzo Vecchio, Florence; Louvre, Paris). They recall studies made by Leonardo da Vinci for his fresco of the Battle of Anghiari; some have scowling faces that closely reflect his studies of faces distorted by the rage of battle.

This terracotta model shows a knight defending himself against four foot-soldiers. It is a free interpretation of Leonardo's studies of soldiers fighting.