Portrait of Cosimo de' Medici
Cellini, ca. 1545-48
Bronze
Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence

Wearing ancient-style armor, Duke Cosimo is shown as an autocratic, military ruler. The glaring eyes and and dynamic twist of the long neck make for an aggressive image.

An element of humor and delight coexists with the almost brutal portrait. The elaborate armor is enlivened with heads of all sorts: some grimace menacingly, while others adopt a more playful air. The large head on the duke's right shoulder is a satyr making a face. A lion, Florence's symbolic Marzocco, sits on Cosimo's right collar. Most inventive are the two eagles that nip at the nipples represented on the breastplate - they release garlands of fruit, which represent the duke's generosity to his subjects.