Antonio Canova

Antonio Canova was a famous Italian sculptor born on November 1, 1757, in Possagno, Italy, and died on October 13, 1822, in Venice. He is considered one of the greatest exponents of Neoclassicism in sculpture. Canova was known for his ability to create marble sculptures that combined elegance and technical perfection. His works reflected a concern for the pursuit of harmony and classical beauty inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. Among his most famous works are several portraits and funerary monuments, such as the portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte, the statue of Paulina Borghese as Venus, the funerary monument of Maria Christina of Austria in the Church of the Augustinians in Vienna, and his last work, Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss. Canova also worked on architectural projects, designing various buildings and monuments, such as the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and the monument to Clement XIII in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. His artistic legacy influenced many later sculptors, and his Neoclassical style continues to be admired today.