Francesco Vezzoli's 'Pietà' Installed Permanently at Palazzo Vecchio

Francesco Vezzoli's site-specific work 'Pietà' has found a permanent home at Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, after being displayed in Piazza della Signoria from 2021 to 2022 as part of a municipal project pairing contemporary artists with historic public spaces. The sculpture features a 20th-century rampant lion on an ancient base, with a headless Roman togata statue (2nd century AD) held in the lion's jaws. It is now installed in the third courtyard (Cortile Nuovo), designed by Vasari and executed by Ammannati and Buontalenti. Mayor Dario Nardella praised the work as enriching the city's dialogue between Renaissance and contemporary art. The piece was part of the exhibition 'Francesco Vezzoli in Florence' curated by Cristiana Perrella and Sergio Risaliti. Risaliti, director of Museo Novecento, noted that the lion references Florence's ancient symbol 'Marzucco', and that Vezzoli's work challenges cancel culture by engaging with classical heritage. The donation fulfills Vezzoli's desire to give his work to Florence.