Fresco of John Hawkwood - Florence, Italy
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neoc1
N 43° 46.389 E 011° 15.334
32T E 681527 N 4849150
A 26' high fresco honors the English soldier of fortune who became the de facto commander-in-chief of Florence's military from 1377 until his death in 1394. It is located in the cathedral in Florence, Italy.
Waymark Code: WM11XNZ
Location: Toscana, Italy
Date Posted: 01/06/2020
Views: 3
A funerary fresco honoring John Hawkwood, who is known as Giovani Acuto in Italy, is located on the left wall of Florence Cathedral. It was created by Paolo Uccello in 1436 and marks the spot Hawkwood was once buried. It is located to the right of a very similar monument to Nicholas of Tolentine.
The fresco depicts John Hawkwood in right profile riding a white horse above an altar-like pedestal. An the pedestal is inscribed:
IOANNES ACVTVS EQVES BRITANNICVS DVX AETATIS SVAE
CAVTISSIMUS ET REI MILITARIS PERITISSIMVS HABITVS EST
JOHN HAWKWOOD, BRITISH KNIGHT MOST PRUDENT
LEADER OF HIS AGE AND MOST EXPERT IN THE ART OF WAR
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As a mercenary John Hawkwood had a complicated history in the struggle for power among the medieval states in Italy. He fought against and then for the forces of Florence. He eventually settled in Florence and became a military leader in support of Florence. After his death in 1394 was buried in Florence Cathedral with great honors.
In 1395, Richard II of England requested the return of Hawkwood's body to be returned to his hometown in England. The fresco was then created in his memory to mark the spot where he was once buried. In 1524 the fresco was restored by Lorenzo di Credi, who created the elaborate frame.