The Fountain of Bacchino in Florence, Italy
The Boboli Gardens in Florence boast 288 sculptures, primarily from the 16th to 18th centuries. These statues largely depict idealized human forms, reflecting the artistic norms of their respective eras. They showcase slender, muscular bodies, even in representations of older individuals. However, one sculpture, the Bacchus Fountain, deviates significantly from this classical ideal. This fountain features a stout, naked male figure seated atop a water-spewing turtle. The sculpture is notable for its depiction of the dwarf's disproportionately large genitalia, a deliberate comedic element. The figure represents Nano Morgante, a real court dwarf of the Medici family, whose real name was Braccio di Bartolo. He suffered from chondrodystrophy, a condition causing dwarfism, and his nickname "Morgante" was ironic, referencing a giant from an epic poem. Despite his physical condition, di Bartolo was known for his intelligence, wit, and diplomatic skills, earning him a favored position at court. Cosimo I de’ Medici commissioned the sculptor Valerio Cioli to create this fountain in 1560. Nano Morgante frequently appeared in Renaissance art, highlighting his notable presence. The Bacchus Fountain's humorous spirit aligns with Cosimo I's motto, "Make haste slowly."
