Henry Moore's Warrior with Shield finally installed at Florence's Palazzo Vecchio

After decades of controversy and a temporary return to England, Henry Moore's bronze sculpture 'Warrior with Shield' (1953-54) has been permanently installed on the Terrazza di Saturno of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, fulfilling the artist's long-held wish. The work was originally donated to the city in 1972 after a major exhibition at Forte Belvedere, but was placed in a temporary outdoor location that risked damage, leading Moore to request its return. Following his death in 1986, negotiations involving his heirs, the city, and the British Institute of Florence led to the sculpture's return on loan, displayed at Santa Croce from 2021. The permanent installation, curated by Sergio Risaliti, follows restoration by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure. The story highlights Moore's deep connection to Florence, where he studied Giotto, Masaccio, and Michelangelo in the 1920s, and the city's evolving relationship with contemporary art.