Artichoke Fountain

Description

The Fountain of the Artichoke was sculpted by Francesco Susini and Francesco del Tadda from 1639 and placed in 1641, when it replaced another fountain known as the Fountain of Juno, by Bartolomeo Ammannati, of which some fragments remain today in the Bargello Museum. The name of the Artichoke is supposed to be due to the similarity between the leaves growing on the stems of the artichokes and the decorations of the shells' shells with cupids on either side of the steps on which the octagonal basin rests. At each edge of the basin is a marble putto, in cheerful and carefree poses, while two other putti straddle fish above the aforementioned side shells. Rising from the center of the basin is a carved plinth supporting two concentric basins, on top of which is the spray of water that animates the fountain. The plinth of these basins is decorated with various fantastic figures, including herms with festoons at the top and two crouching tritons at the bottom.