Italy: Giovanni Dalle Bande Nere (1498 - 1526), Italian condottiero (mercenary leader). 19th century statue outside the Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy. Sculpted by Temistocle Guerrazzi. (2016)

Lodovico de Medici also known as Giovanni dalle Bande Nere (5 April 1498 – 30 November 1526) was an Italian condottiero. He was the son of Giovanni de Medici and Caterina Sforza. He was the father of Cosimo I de Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany.

Condottieri (singular condottiero and condottiere) were the leaders of the professional military free companies (or mercenaries) contracted by the Italian city-states and the Papacy from the late Middle Ages and throughout the Renaissance.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia