Perseus with the Head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini

About

Perseus with the Head of Medusa is a stunning bronze sculpture carved by Benvenuto Cellini between 1545 and 1554, located in the Loggia dei Lanzi overlooking Piazza della Signoria in Florence. The bronze statue depicts the famed mythic hero gripping the severed head of the Gorgon Medusa, with snakes crowned upon it, while Medusa's body lies below. This masterpiece stands alongside other Medici-commissioned works such as Michelangelo's David and Donatello's Judith and Holofernes, creating a dynamic civic narrative. Cellini’s sculptural technique, blending intricate relief on its square base with a powerful narrative pose, established him as a pioneer of Renaissance bronze casting. The work has become an icon of Florence’s artistic heritage, drawing visitors from around the world. Visitors can admire the sculpture from the surrounding Loggia or at close range from the piazza, taking time to study its fine detailing, the shifting snake hair, and the contrasting plinth that displays a bronze relief narrative of Perseus and Andromeda. No admission fee is charged – the statue is freely accessible to the public all day, offering an intimate encounter with one of the most celebrated sculptures of the Renaissance period.

Highlights

• Bronze Sculpture Masterpiece
• Loggia dei Lanzi Setting
• Rich Bas-Relief Panel

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At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour