Monday, February 11, 2013

Ferdinando's Scroll

Monument to Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, Livorno
The statue of Ferdinando I de' Medici is towering on the plinth of the its monument, also called of the Quattro Mori (Four Moors) for the bronze captive pirates chained to its basement. The Grand Duke of Tuscany is dressed as a Knight of the Order of Saint Stephen and is holding a rolled parchment.
Broken scroll, monument to Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, Livorno
A few days ago a substantial piece of the marble scroll was found on the ground. It wasn't an act of vandalism but simple neglect of a statue sculpted in 1595. There is obviously no money for the restoration of the most important monument in town, so I suggest we try to resell our five-thousand-euro bicycles which nobody uses.

See also: Four Moors - Five-Thousand-Euro Bicycles
External links: Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany - Order of Saint Stephen (Wikipedia)

11 comments:

  1. Aw, so very sad to see artwork falling prey to weather and age. I hope it can be fixed. I like your suggestion. :)

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  2. I hope they won't leave it this way. What a marvelous piece of art.

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  3. Somehow I don't think you will be heard on the bikes. But I'm sure at some point they will restore it.

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  4. Oh :( I hope they can restore the sculpture!
    Léia

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  5. I see your point. Yes, it is maddening. It pains my heart.

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  6. Gosh I'd be falling to pieces if I was made in 1595 too VP!
    p.s. I have something for you in my post today, enjoy!

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  7. What a pity! This situation, I saw it repeated in too many places...

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  8. I hope Livorno finds the money that is needed to keep your historic buildings and statues in a good conditions in the years to come....

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