Equestrian statue of Cangrande I della Scala

Cangrande lived at the beginning of the 14th century and was the major exponent of the Della Scala Signoria, both as ruler and man of culture. Guests at his court included Dante, exiled from Florence, who extolled Cangrande in several verses of the Paradiso. This statue was carved to crown his tomb, which was situated over the side portal of the church of Santa Maria Antica; it was commissioned by his successor Mastino II in 1329, after Cangrande's sudden death. The statue has lost all of its original painted decoration. Knocked from its position by a lightning bolt in the 17th century, it was recomposed as best as possible and put back in place. Several pieces are in fact 19th century restorations – the helmet pushed back on his shoulders and part of the caparison of the horse. In 1911 the statue was removed and replaced by a copy. Despite the damage it suffered it is one of the most fascinating works of the entire Gothic period, and yet its author is unknown. Some scholars have attempted to identify him as Giovanni di Rigino. All that can be said for certain is that the same hand is also responsible for other parts of the tomb and for the equestrian statue of Mastino II, equally beautiful but badly eroded.

The statue of Cangrande I Della Scala seen from above from the walkways, in the 1964 setting by Carlo Scarpa. The statue, exhibited on a slender concrete support that is seven metres tall, is located in a space devoted exclusively to its exhibition, obtained through demolition of the end section of the Napoleonic fort. The work can be gradually approached by means of a system of walkways and flights of step offering views from below and even from ouside all the way up to an oscillating platform that almost permits physical contact with the sculpture. The scenic setting created by the master makes it possible to discover new aspects of the statue every time it is seen from a different viewpoint, and it is no coincidence that great photographers have focused repeatedly on this extraordinary architectural composition.