The statue, by the way, is interesting for two other reasons than its subject.

First, it is that to which Browning's poem, "The Statue and the Bust," refers, and which, according to the poet, was set here at Ferdinand's command to gaze adoringly for ever at the della Robbia bust of the lady whom he loved in vain.

But the bust no longer is visible, if ever it was.

John of Douay (as Gian Bologna was also called)-- John of Douay shall effect my plan, Set me on horseback here aloft, Alive, as the crafty sculptor can, In the very square I have crossed so oft: That men may admire, when future suns Shall touch the eyes to a purpose soft, While the mouth and the brow stay brave in bronze-- Admire and say, "when he was alive How he would take his pleasure once!" The other point of interest is that when Maria de' Medici, Ferdinand's niece, wished to erect a statue of Henri IV (her late husband) at the Pont Neuf in Paris she asked to borrow Gian Bologna.

But the sculptor was too old to go and therefore only a bronze cast of this same horse was offered.