Body of Power: The Mars by Giambologna

Exhibition at the Liechtensteinisches Landesmuseum, Vaduz, 17 September – 16 November 2025

Created in Florence at the court of the Medici, Giambologna's Mars (1528–1609) is one of the most remarkable male nude statues of the Mannerist period and ranks among the most impressive representations of the god of war. It combines ancient ideals with artistic innovation. This symbol of sovereignty is masterfully rendered in the powerful appearance of the statuette, which stands between war and peace, destruction and renewal.

This catalogue of the exhibition organised in honour of Prince Hans-Adam II von und zu Liechtenstein's 80th birthday to celebrate the recent acquisition of the work by the Princely House of Liechtenstein attempts to answer many questions, including why Giambologna depicted the god of war naked rather than in armour.

Taking Mars as its central figure, it highlights the work and artistic milieu of Giambologna, whose creations had a lasting influence on late Renaissance art. The work is accompanied by a selection of other small bronze sculptures from the princely collections, based on drawings and models by Giambologna and his assistants, including Antonio and Giovanni Francesco Susini, Pietro Tacca and Adriaen de Vries.