Antonio Canova (Italian pronunciation: [anˈtɔːnjo kaˈnɔːva]; 1 November 1757 – 13 October 1822) was an Italian Neoclassical sculptor, [1][2] famous for his marble sculptures.
In his studio in Rome, Canova worked out ideas in clay before producing them at full size in marble. Rough and rapidly made, these expressive clay “sketches” show an important side of his creativity. And his creative designs and skilled carving drove demand for his marble sculptures across Europe. 1. Canova sculpted from a young age.
Who Is Antonio Canova? 10 Things to Know - National Gallery of Art
Antonio Canova, marchese d’Ischia was an Italian sculptor, one of the greatest exponents of Neoclassicism. Among his works are the tombs of popes Clement XIV (1783–87) and Clement XIII (1787–92) and statues of Napoleon and of his sister Princess Borghese reclining as Venus Victrix.
During his life, Antonio Canova was an artist and a patron, he knew the most important representatives of art and politics of his time, and could speak English and French. His art was praised all over Europe and today his sculptures are preserved in the major museums of the world.
When Countess Valeria Tarnowska first met the sculptor Antonio Canova, on , she recorded the event in her diary: "I saw the great Canova! I saw him amidst his glory, surrounded by his masterpieces — simple, modest, he seems to ignore the fact that he has become immortal."
Italian sculptor Antonio Canova (1757 – 1822) is considered the leading figure of the Neoclassical style, inspired by the sculptures of Ancient Greece and Rome.
As soon as Canova’s hand could hold a pencil, he was initiated into the principles of drawing by his grandfather Pasino. The latter possessed some knowledge both of drawing and of architecture, designed well, and showed considerable taste in the execution of ornamental warks.