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General view, looking north; The monument was placed in the SS Annunziata square because Ferdinand I frequently visited the church and it reaffirmed the Grand Duke's first vocation as a cardinal. It was placed along the line connecting the cathedral with the shrine of the SS Annunziata. In the later years of his life, Giambologna (1529-1608) received the commission for this monument. "He had previously enjoyed great success with the equestrian monument of Cosimo I. A full-size variant showing Ferdinando himself was commissioned shortly afterwards for Piazza SS Annunziata (1601-1608); others followed for the kings of France and Spain." The equestrian statue for Ferdinand I was his last work. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 12/9/2007)