Bust of Cosimo I de' Medici

In Bandini’s existing busts of the Grand Duke, the sitter is dressed all’antica, an emulation of Roman imperial portraiture in keeping with Cosimo’s view of himself as an Augustus reborn, and he is shown as aloof, expressionless and virtually static, with only a hint of movement in the turn of the head.

The present bust was placed over the entrance to the Cathedral Works (Opera del Duomo).