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In 1559, Duke Cosimo, having resolved to put to execution the long conceived project of erecting a monumental foundation on the place of the Palazzo Vecchio, Baccio Bandinelli was commissioned to make a model representing a Neptune on a colossal chariot drawn by sea-horses; but Benvenuto Cellini persuaded the Duke that, according to Florentine traditions, this work should be open to competition, and when Barolommeo Ammannati, who had not long returned from Rome and yet was already in great favour in Florence, determined to dispute the honour, the contest seemed to be confined to the two artists; for Bandinelli, who thought he had been slighted, took no further part in it, and died in the following year. But unexpectedly two much younger competitors, Jean Bologne, encouraged by his new protector Francesco, and Vicenzo Danti of Perugia, entered the lists, seizing the opportunity of competing with their elders, more with a view to secure true recognition of their talents from the public than in the hope of obtaining the precious marble, for it was well known that the Duke's patronage was assured to Ammannati, and according to general expectation, the latter's project was adopted; indeed, Cosimo did not notice half the work of the competitors. Jean Bologne's model was unanimously declared to be the best, and on its merits he was commissioned to execute the fountain of Neptune at Bologna and a statue of the Ocean for the Boboli Gardens; it is supposed on good grounds that he made use of this model for the Bologna fountain, which is considered a master-piece in comparison with Ammannati's similar work in Florence.