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.