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Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence

1902–8
Not on view
Sargent made a series of drawings, watercolors, and an oil painting of the renowned bronze sculpture Perseus and Medusa (1545–54) by Benvenuto Cellini (1500–1571), in the Loggia dei Lanzi, Piazza della Signoria, in Florence. Sargent was fascinated by the gruesome Mannerist sculpture, which represents the mythological hero Perseus holding the head of the slain Gorgon Medusa. He stands on her twisted, decapitated body as blood pours from her neck and head. Sargent’s rapid sketch seems to have been a preliminary study for his painting, a night scene. With expressive, broad hatching, Sargent indicates the planes of darkness and shadow in the background and beneath the loggia, while boldly suggesting the contours of the sculpture.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence
  • Artist: John Singer Sargent (American, Florence 1856–1925 London)
  • Date: 1902–8
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Graphite on off-white wove paper
  • Dimensions: 11 3/8 x 9 in. (28.9 x 22.9 cm)
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Francis Ormond, 1950
  • Object Number: 50.130.131
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Mountain Landscape (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook), John Singer Sargent American, Graphite on off-white wove paper, American
Mountain Landscape (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook)
John Singer Sargent
1870
Wetterhorn, Grindelwald (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook), John Singer Sargent American, Watercolor and graphite on off-white wove paper, American
Wetterhorn, Grindelwald (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook)
John Singer Sargent
1870
Mount Pilatus, recto (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook), John Singer Sargent American, Wax crayon on off-white wove paper, American
Mount Pilatus, recto (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook)
John Singer Sargent
1870
Mountain View, Mürren (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook), John Singer Sargent American, Watercolor and graphite on off-white wove paper, American
Mountain View, Mürren (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook)
John Singer Sargent
1870
View from Schilthorn (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook), John Singer Sargent American, Graphite on off-white wove paper, American
View from Schilthorn (from "Splendid Mountain Watercolours" Sketchbook)
John Singer Sargent
1870

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