San Giovanni in Firenze in Città Metropolitana di Firenze, Tuscany, Italy — Southern and Western Europe (Mediterranean)
Gli Uccelli
⎯⎯⎯
The Birds
Gli uccelli in bronzo qui esposti ornavano in origine la Grotta della Villa medicea di Castello. Secondo i documenti, parte di essi sono riferibili a Bartolomeo Ammannati e alla sua scuola, che li eseguirono tra il 1558 e il 1559.
L'opera fu proseguita dal Giambologna, che risulta impegnato in questo progetto nel 1567.
Nel gruppo si riconoscono gli animali del Giambologna poiché sono ritratti nei loro più caratteristici atteggiamenti e, rispetto a quelli degli altri artisti, mostrano una finitura più vibrante e impressionistica, a tutto vantaggio della naturalezza e della spontaneità.
Alla fine del Settecento, quando la villa era in decadenza e venne spogliata dei suoi arredi, un primo gruppo di uccelli fu portato in deposito a Boboli, da dove nel 1816 passò alla Galleria degli Uffizi e infine al Bargello, nel 1865. Dopo la seconda guerra mondiale, anche gli uccelli rimasti nella Grotta approdarono, a più riprese, al Bargello, ma purtroppo nel frattempo altri animali che appartenevano allo stesso complesso erano andati perduti.
Giambologna (1529-1608)
2. Tacchino, Inv. 109 B
4. Gheppo, Inv. 122 B
5. Aquila reale, Inv 98 B
8. Colomba, Inv. 103 B
11. Tordo, Inv, 445 B
12. Colomba con ali aperte, Inv 133 B
Attr. Bartolomeo Ammannati (1511-1592)
6. Gufo comune, Inv. Dep. 147
7. Gufo reale, Inv. Dep. 145
9. Fagiana, Inv. Dep. 146
Scuola dell'Ammanati
1. Pavone, Inv. 5 B
3. Gallo, Inv. Dep. p. 108, n° 1
10. Falco, Inv. 148 B
The bronze birds on display here once decorated the Grotto of the Medicean Villa of Castello. According to documents, several of these were carried out by Bartolomeo Ammannati and his school between 1558 and 1559. The series was then continued by Giambologna who worked on this project in 1567.
The animals in the group by Giambologna can be recognized thanks to their characteristic poses, and compared to the work of the other artists, they have a vibrant, impressionistic touch that enhances their naturalness and spontaneity.
At the end of the sixteenth century when the villa had fallen to ruin, it was emptied of all its furnishings and the first group of birds was moved to the storerooms of the Boboli gardens before passing over to the Uffizi Gallery in 1816, and finally on to the Bargello in 1865.
After the Second World War the birds remaining inside the Grotto were gradually moved to the Bargello, but unfortunately other animals belonging to the same group were been lost in the meantime.
Giambologna (1529-1608)
2. Turkey, Inv. 109 Β
4. Marsh harrier, Inv. 122 B
5. Royal eagle, Inv 98 B
8. Dove, Inv. 103 B
11. Thrush, Inv, 445 B
12. Dove with wings spread, Inv 133 B
Attr. to Bartolomeo Ammannati (1511-1592)
6. Long-eared owl, Inv. Dep. 147
7. Eagle owl, Inv. Dep. 145
9. Pheasant, Inv. Dep. 146
School of Ammanati
1. Peacock, Inv. 5 B
3. Rooster, Inv. Dep. p. 108, n° 1
10. Hawk, Inv. 148 Β
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Arts, Letters, Music • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1558.
Location. 43° 46.215′ N, 11° 15.482′ E. Marker is in Firenze, Toscana (Tuscany), in Città Metropolitana di Firenze. It is in San Giovanni. It is on Via della Vigna Vecchia. The marker is next to the Birds statues, which are in the open-air, upper-level "verone" that overlooks the courtyard of the Bargello museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Via della Vigna Vecchia 37, Firenze, Toscana 50122, Italy. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, the Schengen Area, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Byzantine Empire, the Roman Empire, and specifically the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cannone di San Paolo / Cannon (a few steps from this marker); Verone (a few steps from this marker); Il Pescatore / The Fisher Boy (a few steps from this marker); Gli Stemmi / The Coats of Arms (a few steps from this marker); Fontana di Sala Grande / Fountain for the Sala Grande (within shouting distance of this marker); Sarcofago / Sarcophagus (within shouting distance of this marker); L'incoronazione di Ferdinando I d'Aragona e Sei Musici (within shouting distance of this marker); Il Museo / The Museum (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Firenze.
Also see . . . Bartolomeo Ammanati bio. From the Italian Art Society website
Excerpt: "When Julius III died in 1555, Ammanati returned to Florence to enter the service of Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici. Ammanati’s best-known sculpture from this period is the Fountain of Neptune (c. 1560–75) in the Piazza della Signoria, Florence."(Submitted on August 22, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 21, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.



