About this artwork

This scene shows Vulcan and his assistants the Cyclopes forging weapons for the gods, with Minerva standing at the right. The diamond surmounting Minerva’s shield is an emblem of the Medici family, and this picture may have been painted around 1565 for Francesco de’ Medici (Grand Duke from 1574), who took a keen interest in metallurgy and alchemy.

Updated before 2020

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Jacopo Zucchi

Jacopo Zucchi