Antonio Canova

Antonio Canova

Antonio Canova was an Italian Neoclassical sculptor who lived from 1757 to 1822. He was born in the Venetian Republic. After his father died, he moved in with his paternal grandfather who was a stonemason and sculptor. He initially led Canova into sculpting and by ten years old, Canova was officially working as a sculptor for his grandfather.

Antonio Canova studied sculpture at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia and soon after opened his first studio inside a monastery. By 18 years old, he was doing commission work for a Venetian senator which quickly made him known to the local elite. In 1780, Canova moved to Rome to study the great masters and continue his work. He became known and critically acclaimed throughout Europe. Both Napoleon Bonaparte and Catherine II sought Canova for their own purposes, though Canova believed and repeatedly said that “art was above politics.” During his day, it was popular to view art at night by torchlight. Canova refined his statues in this manner, working by torchlight to add the finishing touches.

Canova’s artistic talents and popular appeal led to more political positions as well. He was given the position of ‘Inspector-General of Antiquities and Fine Art of the Papal State’ and oversaw restorations and maintenance of important religious sites. He was also the ‘Minister Plenipotentiary of the Pope’ which tasked him with retrieving Italian works of art that were removed by Napoleon. Interestingly, he was also part of the reason that the Elgin marbles had been removed from Greece by the British as he had advised Benjamin Haydon to do so.

Canova’s political gain continued. He became the president of the Accademia di San Luca and was given the title of Marquis of Ischia. He also continued to create some of his most famous works, sculpting his own version of the Pietà, Mars and Venus, and St. John, The Three Graces, in addition to a full-size statue of George Washington. Antonio Canova died in 1822 at the age of 64. He had never married and had no offspring, but he was much loved by his home country. He was given a funeral procession so grand, that it was said that it rivaled that of the one given to Michelangelo in 1564.

Back to the Artists page.

You can learn about different art movements here.