Florence
AA-2026-474C69
On the image
A large, muscular man made of marble stands confidently in the centre of the piazza, holding his trident with the gravitas one might expect from a sea god, or perhaps a particularly effective middle manager. He is surrounded by an assortment of bronze and marble figures — nymphs, satyrs, and horses — all engaged in various forms of aquatic struggle and triumph, as was the fashion for public art before civic committees started demanding abstract shapes that offend no one.
This monumental display was, at some point, deemed essential for civic pride and the general edification of the populace, presumably by someone with a significant budget and a strong opinion on exposed anatomy. The entire ensemble is now safely behind a railing, ensuring that 1970s tourists, in their bell-bottoms and polyester, could appreciate its historical significance without accidentally touching the 16th-century marble, which would undoubtedly have made it less historical.
Even with the distinctly blue tint of this particular decade's photography, the message remains clear: important people once lived here, and they wanted you to know it, permanently, and with considerable artistic flair. The buildings in the background simply stand by, observing this enduring confidence.
The historian's note
The Fountain of Neptune is a prominent public fountain located in the Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Italy. Commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici in 1559 for the marriage of his son Francesco I de' Medici to Grand Duchess Joanna of Austria, it was designed by Bartolomeo Ammannati with assistance from other sculptors.
Construction of the fountain took place between 1563 and 1565. The central marble statue depicts the sea god Neptune, standing on a triumphal chariot drawn by four horses, surrounded by various mythological figures. Upon its unveiling, the work was not universally acclaimed, earning the nickname 'Biancone' (big whitey) due to its monumental size and the perceived lack of artistic subtlety by some critics.
Despite initial mixed reviews, the fountain has endured as a significant example of Mannerist sculpture and an iconic landmark in Florence. By the 1970s, it was a firmly established cultural site and a popular attraction for international tourists visiting the historic city centre.
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Fountain of Neptune, Piazza della Signoria, Florence, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-474C69. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/fountain-of-neptune-piazza-della-signoria-florence-1970s.
@misc{aaAA2026474C69,
title = {Fountain of Neptune, Piazza della Signoria, Florence, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-474C69},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/fountain-of-neptune-piazza-della-signoria-florence-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Fountain of Neptune, Piazza della Signoria, Florence, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-474C69 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/fountain-of-neptune-piazza-della-signoria-florence-1970s ER -
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