Among the sculptures Cosimo III and his courtiers had occasion to contemplate in Madrid, there stand out two equestrian portraits linked to the Medici family, since they are gifts from the father and grandfather of the duke to the kings of Spain. The first, made by Giovanni da Bologna, represents Philip III and currently can be seen occupying the center of the Plaza Mayor, although at the time of the visit it was still in the gardens of the Casa de Campo. Magalotti refers to it in his chronicle as follows: “Between the fountain and the house is, on a very graceful pedestal of Carrara marble, a bronze horse, given by a Grand Duke of the Most Serene House of Medici, with the statue of Philip III, armed, statue that is jarring in front of such an unfortunate building. ”
