What would a king from ancient Greece be doing here, in the heart of Florence? Yet, here he is, not in flesh and blood, but in bronze. This is the Tindaro Screpolato Installation, a monumental sculpture by the Polish artist Igor Mitoraj. It depicts the head and shoulders of Tindaro, the mythical king of Sparta. Mitoraj was known for his fragmented figures, often drawing inspiration from classical mythology. He saw these broken forms as symbols of the passage of time and the resilience of beauty. The Tindaro Screpolato, with its cracked surface and powerful presence, embodies this duality perfectly. Notice how the cracks, far from diminishing its strength, seem to accentuate it, revealing the stories etched by time. Mitoraj gifted this sculpture to Florence in 1998, following a major exhibition of his work here. Its location, amidst the lush greenery of the Boboli Gardens, amplifies its impact. You can almost feel the weight of history as you stand before it, the ancient world colliding with the modern. The Tindaro Screpolato is more than just a sculpture. It’s a meditation on time, beauty, and the enduring power of myth.
Santa Lucia alla Castellina
“A sanctuary of art and faith””. You might say that about many places, but here at Santa Lucia alla Castellina,