Triton

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 Isola 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 finished . Gabriele Capecchi attributes the four fountains with winged Tritons, originally made of pietra serena, to Andrea di Michelangelo Ferrucci. The sculptures were still in place in 1775, the year Innocenzo Spinazzi was in charge of making sketches of the Tritons' heads 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.