Florentine Master, 15th-16th century, Festival of Tributes, c. 1600: All the communities of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany rendered obedience to the Grand Duke during the Festival of Tributes, celebrated on June 24. Michaelangelo’s David surveys the scene from his pedestal in front of the Palazzo Vecchio.
We are up high, looking down at the Piazza della Signoria, whose immaculately gridded surface of red brick and grey sandstone is filled with crowds of men and children. On either side of the square is a large formation of mounted cavalieri bearing colorful standards. As they await the signal to step off, a few stragglers spur their horses to join the ranks.
Everyone must be in place when the troops pass before Ferdinand I, ruler of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. And there he is, sitting with his consort under a red canopy in front of the Palazzo Vecchio. What’s that? Why, today is June 24, 1600, and we are at the annual Festival of Tributes when nobles, clergy and common citizens gather to pledge allegiance to the Grand Duke.
Being urbane Florentines with a coveted balcony seat, our gaze can wander at will over this proud show. To the left of the Neptune fountain – that “waste of good marble,” as old Michaelangelo used to say – a row of magnificent floats, mobile monuments to the glory of the Duchy, rumbles toward us behind teams of oxen.
Read the entire article in the February 2009 issue
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