Triton. Artist: Giambologna (Netherlandish, Douai 1529-1608 Florence). Culture: Italian, Florence. Dimensions: Height: 36 in., 53.9 lb. (91.4 cm, 24.4 kg). Date: 1560-70.The Triton, seated on a circular base formed of three dolphins with tails interlaced and heads resting on three inverted scallop shells, originally served as a fountain figure. Like most of the sculptor's compositions, this work was meant to be viewed from all sides. With its supple modeling and its vigorous chasing, the present bronze is the earliest example of this composition to survive and should be dated to the artist's early maturity, in the 1560s, shortly after he arrived in Florence from his native Flanders.Giambologna was renowned for his skill in casting bronze, the medium in which almost all his work (ranging in scale from minute to monumental) was executed. The nature of the casting process lent itself to the multiplication of original models under the sculptor's supervision as well as the production of s