Restoration of Bacchus after Michelangelo

The Bacchus by Michelangelo that you see here in my back is perhaps one of the most remarkable and faithful replicas belonging to the archives of Modo of the Frilli Gallery. It was carved at the end of the 1800s in a period in which electricity was slowly peeping in but it was surely a commodity available only to a few wealthy people. This technically speaking means that this work of art was carved entirely by hand from one single block of marble exactly the same way Michelangelo would have carved his own work of art in 1496. This work was carved by Michelangelo on commission of a Vatican cardinal Mr. Riario and it only became later on possession of Prince Francesco dei Medici arriving into Florence. The original work of art now resides inside the National Bargello Museum in Florence, a unique museum of classic sculpture surely worth a visit. But should you not be the types who like to wander around museums and that would still be a pity for a city like Florence, you can come and admire this beautiful replica inside the Four Seasons Hotel. The replica is located inside the main lobby ex-courtyard of the historical renaissance Palazzo Scala della Gherardesca nowadays hosting the premises of the five-star extra-lux hotel. There are many anecdotes regarding this replica and how it was admired and dreamed by many very important clients of the Frilli Gallery. It is no Greek myth when we say that Mr. Hards himself romanced this sculpture for himself or perhaps for his department stores or when Michael Jackson was incredibly infatuated by this languished yet vigorous deity or when Miss Barilla, the famous owner of the pasta producers, begged my grandfather to sell her this wonderful piece. My grandfather always refused to sell it knowing the authentic and unique value of this 100% hand-carved and perfectly proportionate Bacchus by Michelangelo. Frilli Gallery could only decide to give it on loan to the Four Seasons management and place this Bacchus inside the marvelous high-relief decoration of this courtyard where it is now located and where the Bacchus has become the icon and symbol of the Four Seasons Hotel in Florence. And this is the reason why we're here today to admire its restoration after more than 50 years. We look forward to bringing it back to you possibly even more beautiful and shining in its radiant polished marble and with this occasion we look forward to be welcoming you again in Florence and at the Four Seasons Hotel very soon.