The Colosso dell’Appennino, or Appennine Colossus, is a little-known sculpture in Italy dating back more than four centuries to the Renaissance. Created by the famous artist Giambologna for his client, Francesco de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, the monument ought to be famous. Giambologna was a master sculptor, renown for his works in bronze and marble. He was so highly thought of in his time, he was banned from ever leaving Florence where many of his greatest statues can still be seen.
Built of stone and bricks (1579-1580), the sculpture is said to represent the complex relationship between man and nature, with the man appearing to rise out of a mountain. Depending on the source, the Colossus is between 35 feet (10.7 meters) and 45 feet (13.7 meters) tall, or 12 meters (39.4 feet) to 14 meters (45.9 feet) tall. That’s a fairly large margin of error. Maybe it depends on whether one is measuring the height from the garden ground level behind the statue or from the pond level in front of it. There are three stories inside the sculpture with rooms on each level. Visitors are no longer permitted inside, but the lowest level appears to be somewhat like an unfinished basement. The second level is ornate with semi-precious stones and sea shells embedded in the walls and floors, with room for a small orchestra or ensemble to entertain. The third level appears to be quite roomy, with a fireplace inside the man’s head so that smoke exits through his nostrils. When it was new, many water features delighted guests, including a ‘water organ’, ‘water-driven automata’, and water jets that soaked their clothes. (I suspect the Duke enjoyed practical jokes.)
Considering its creator’s great fame and the immense size of Colosso dell’Appennino, one would think art lovers would flock to see it. Part of the problem may be that it’s out of the way, located about 12 km (7.5 miles) north of Florence. Another reason may be that all the other statues created by Giambologna that once resided on the same grounds as the Colossus, were removed over the centuries. Some were stolen, others reportedly lost (vandalized?), and the remaining works were moved into Florence.
The Colosso dell’Appennino is now on the grounds of the Park of Pratolino, which is owned and operated by the City of Florence. Admission is free, visitors are relatively few, and there are many other works of art to be seen there.
The only good video I could find (there are myriad bad videos) on the Colossus is in Italian, but the photography is excellent and professionally done.
“PRATOLINO IL SOGNO DEL PRINCIPE” (9:51)
Question Of The Night: Given a mountain and a choice, would you build your home on the mountain or inside the mountain?
