About the Sculpture: This famous statue entitled "Flying Mercury" is by world-renowned artistan,Giambologna, (born as Jean Boulogne, also known as Giovanni Da Bologna and Giovanni Bologna) who was a sculptor, known for his marble and bronze statuary in a late Renaissance or Mannerist style. Giovanni da Bologna's famed Flying Mercury captures the Greek messenger of the gods speeding through the skies. Mercury is depicted wearing a winged petasus on his head and winged sandals which give him speed in flight. He carries the caduceus in his hand, the magic wand given to him by Apollo that has come to symbolizes the practice of medicine. A bronze column of breath from Aeolus, the wind god, serves as a pedestal to propel Mercury upward and forward. Mercury points upward towards Jupiter in a contraposto (twist of the body) pose that is both elegant and powerful. With his knowledge of anatomy and exceptional artistic skill, it is no wonder that Giambologna's masterpiece originally sculpted in 1580 remains one of today's most cherished bronze artworks. This version has exceptional detail and boasts a beautiful vibrant green patina permanently fused into the bronze under very high heat. It has been cast of the finest pure bronze using the lost wax method. The piece is marked with the signature "Giambologna" in the bronze, and is mounted onto a beautiful decorative black marble base. This is truly an artwork that will last to be treasured for years to come. About the Artist: (born 1529, Douai, Spanish Neth. — died Aug. 13, 1608, Florence) Flemish-born Italian sculptor. After studies under Jacques Dubroeucq, he went to Rome in 1550, where his style was influenced by Hellenistic sculpture and the works of Michelangelo; he settled in Florence in 1552. He produced many of his most important works for the Medici family, but it was the Fountain of Neptune (1563 – 66) in Bologna that made him famous. His bronze equestrian statue of Cosimo I(1587 – 93), the first of its kind made in Florence, became a pattern for similar statues all over Europe. His garden sculptures — notably for Florence's Boboli Gardens and for three Medici villas, including the colossal Apennine (1570 – 80) at Pratolino — enjoyed great popularity. He was also a prolific manufacturer of bronze statuettes; many of his working models still survive. He was the outstanding sculptor of Italian Mannerism.