Harpy

Description

This particular fountain in the shape of a winged Triton with zoomorphic figures is placed on the outer balustrade of the Island, currently around the reservoir there are four of identical subject. These fountains were part of the iconographic program of the Island of Venus, designed by Giulio Parigi at the behest of Cosimo II . Excavation work for the Island basin lasted until June 30, 1615 and resumed in October 1619 . In 1620 only the sculptural decoration of the perimeter outside the basin appears to have been completed . Gabriele Capecchi attributes to Andrea di Michelangelo Ferrucci the four fountains with winged Tritons, originally made of pietra serena . The sculptures were still in place in 1775, the year in which Innocenzo Spinazzi was responsible for making sketches of the heads of the Tritons to make copies, due to the advanced state of deterioration of the works . The plaster casts were transported on November 9, 1775, to Francis Harwood's studio to make the marble copies, which were then placed back on the body of the fountain, which had also been restored.