Antonio Canova is an Italian sculptor and artist. He was the most significant representative of classicism in European culture. Academics of the XIX century, including Thorvalsen, considered him a role model. The largest collections of Canova’s works are kept in the Louvre and the Hermitage.
An outstanding representative of the new classicism praised the perfect beauty. With his work, he made a revolution in art. The master began to create in the Baroque manner of Lorenzo Bernia, but then managed to find his own path.
The beginning of creativity
The biography of the famous master began in 1757. He was born in the Italian city of Possagno in the family of the stonemason Pietro Canova and his wife Angela Zardo Fantolini on November 1. Father died in 1761. The child was brought up by his grandfather.
Pazino Canova, who owned masonry workshops, was very difficult. The boy learned to work with stone. Grandfather noticed the talent of his grandson and introduced Antonio Giovanni Faliero. In 1768, under the patronage of an influential senator, the young master began to manufacture the first works.
For the sake of teaching his grandson, his grandfather sold the farm. With the funds received, Antonio was able to study the art of the era of antiquity. In October 1773, the young man began the sculpture "Orpheus and Eurydice, " commissioned by his patron. Finished the sculpture of Canova two years later. The success of the work was deafening.
The source of inspiration for the young sculptor was ancient Greek art. Recognized masterpieces of his time are not included in the number of role models. In Venice, Antonio opened his workshop. In it in 1779 a new composition was created, Daedalus and Icarus. After exhibiting it in St. Mark's Square, there was again universal recognition.
Wonderful work
At one of Canov’s first successful works, two figures are presented. Icarus is impeccably beautiful and young. The body of old Daedalus is imperfect.
Daedalus and Icarus
On the example of juxtaposition of youth and old age, the impression of the composition is greatly enhanced.
The sculptor found and used a new, which has become a favorite, technique. The axis of symmetry runs through the center, but the figure of Icarus deviates back. Together, both heroes create an X-shaped line, providing the necessary balance. For the master, the play of shadow and light was also important.
In 1799, the twenty-two-year-old master moved to Rome. He began to study the creations of the masters of Greece. Having learned all the main characters of mythology, Canova proceeded to ponder his own artistic traditions. The young master put the nobleness of simplicity at their base. This markedly affected his work.
"Cupid and Psyche"
Sculptures of Antonio contemporaries put on a par with the legendary sculptors of antiquity. The master worked on improving the classical style. The sculptor fit perfectly into the cultural atmosphere of the eternal city. His work brought him recognition and worldwide success.
The composition "Cupid and Psyche", performed in 1800-1803, is represented by two figures. The God of love peers into the face of a beautiful lover with tenderness. Psyche answers him with the same feeling. The intersection of both figures forms a winding and soft X-shaped line.
The audience gets the impression of floating figures in the air. Psyche with Cupid deviate diagonally. Equilibrium is achieved by the outstretched wings of a resident of Olympus. The center of the composition is the hugging god of love Psyche. Shapes of shapes are distinguished by elegant smoothness. So the master expresses the idea of the ideal of beauty. The original statue is kept in the Louvre.
The sculptor's first works repeated the works of eminent sculptors. However, as he studied the works of Greek masters, Canova decided to avoid exaggerating the importance of passion and gestures in his compositions. He came to the conclusion that only by strict calculation and control can he convey sensuality with ideality.
The master’s works were nothing like the art familiar to his contemporaries. In stages, Canova created unique works, moving from wax and clay to gypsum. Only after everything began work with marble. The sculptor worked tirelessly for 14 hours, without leaving the workshop for even a minute. There is no information about his personal life.
"Three Graces"
Between 1813 and 1816 the sculpture "Three Graces" was created. The idea was presented by Josephine Beauharnais. There are assumptions, at first the sculptor was going to portray Harit traditionally, as was supposed in mythology. Thalia, Euphrosyne and Aglaya, the beautiful daughters of Zeus, accompanied the goddess of beauty Aphrodite.
Symbols of grace became joy, prosperity and beauty. The central figure of the composition is embraced by the other two. Unity strengthens the scarf uniting them. A pillar with a wreath placed on it serves as a kind of altar.
The play of light and shadow is achieved by the smoothness of the bends of the bodies and the perfect processing of marble. This technique was used in other creations of the master. Harmony and sophistication embody the three Harites. The original sculpture is kept in the Hermitage.
Marble sculptor used only white marble for modeling. With the harmony of compositions, the stillness of creations seems alive. The impression of revival in motion. A feature of the talent of the master was the maximum polishing of the material. All works gained a special brilliance, drawing attention to naturalness.
