Neptune 1575 - 1599

This bronze Neptune was crafted in Florence by Johan Gregor van der Schardt sometime in the mid- to late-16th century. The figure carries a trident, the symbol of his dominion over the seas, and his dynamic pose suggests the raw power associated with the classical deity. The statue was created during the Renaissance, a period when the rediscovery of classical art and literature profoundly impacted artistic production. Florence, where van der Schardt worked, was a hub of this cultural rebirth, largely funded by powerful families like the Medici. Their patronage shaped the art world, emphasizing humanist values and a revival of classical aesthetics, yet also reflecting their own political ambitions. Neptune was more than just a mythological figure; he was a potent symbol of authority and control, reflecting the social hierarchies of the time. To understand this statue better, we can look at the prevailing social structures and artistic patronage systems of 16th-century Florence. It's through this kind of historical contextualization that we can truly appreciate the multiple layers of meaning embedded in a work like this.