Antonio Canova seemed to have been born into the artistic world. After the death of his father, he went into the care of his grandfather, both stonemasons. The latter introduced him to the art of sculpture. At the age of ten he already began to make models out of clay and marble. At the age of twelve, Canova apprenticed in Venice to Giuseppe Bernardi, already an important sculptor at the time, where he put the finishing touches on his skills. Within a few years, he graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, where he won several awards and eventually opened his own studio. An anecdote says that at a dinner in noble company, Canova engraved the figure of a lion with outstretched wings in butter so close to reality that it astonished the guests present almost in disbelief.
Later, when he was intensively engaged in Italian and Greek mythology and the classics, Canova created numerous statues and sculptures in Rome, which today are highly regarded in the art world. It is not without reason that Canova is considered one of the main figures of Italian classicism and is sometimes hailed as the greatest sculptural genius since Michelangelo, whose works he himself greatly admired. His dancing, light-footed movements, feminist grace, and flowing, graceful forms made him an outstanding artist of his time. He was in some ways a perfectionist, as evidenced by the fact that he lit his works by candlelight at night to highlight their uniqueness and beauty in a mythical light and to impress guests and collaborators. The first visitors who saw his exquisite works were quite surprised that they were contemporary art and not original ancient masterpieces.
Because of his attained high reputation, many monarchs and princes brought him to their courts and Canova received commissions from all over Europe. However, he refused to go to the French imperial court as a leading sculptor. In his last years in Rome, he even traveled across the continent as a papal commissioner and, moreover, brought back to Italy the works of art that had been carried off during the Napoleonic Wars, which he succeeded in doing, after which the pope bestowed upon him the title of "Marquis of Ischia" in recognition. The esteem in which this extraordinary artist is held is also evident from the fact that his mortal remains are preserved in a parish church of his own design in his hometown of Possagno, and in Venice his heart is preserved in the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa and his right hand in a vase in the Academy of Fine Arts.
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.jpg "Psyche Revived by the Kiss of Cupid (detail) by Antonio Canova")
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_sister_of_Napoleon_I_represent_-_(MeisterDrucke-1058590).jpg "Pauline Bonaparte, Princess Borghese (1780-1825) Represented as Victorious Venus. Marble Sculpture by Antonio Canova (1804-1808) Galleria Borghese by Antonio Canova")
_sister_of_Napoleon_I_represent_-_(MeisterDrucke-1058590).jpg)
 (for detail see 27638) (see also 154097) - (MeisterDrucke-172695).jpg "Psyche Revived by the Kiss of Cupid (1787) (detail) by Antonio Canova")
 (for detail see 27638) (see also 154097) - (MeisterDrucke-172695).jpg)
_marble_figure_group_detail_-_(MeisterDrucke-1094191).jpg "Venus and Adonis (detail) by Antonio Canova")
_marble_figure_group_detail_-_(MeisterDrucke-1094191).jpg)
.jpg "Psyche Revived by the Kiss of Love by Antonio Canova")
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_plaster_-_(MeisterDrucke-1088567).jpg "Venus Crowning Adonis by Antonio Canova")
_plaster_-_(MeisterDrucke-1088567).jpg)
.jpg "Pauline Bonaparte by Antonio Canova")
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.jpg "Transporting Body of Horatio Nelson by Antonio Canova")
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_tempera_-_(MeisterDrucke-1092812).jpg "Woman playing castanets by Antonio Canova by Antonio Canova")
_tempera_-_(MeisterDrucke-1092812).jpg)
.jpg "Reclining Naiad by Antonio Canova")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-273218).jpg "Daedalus and Icarus by Antonio Canova")
 - (MeisterDrucke-273218).jpg)
_marble_statue_-_(MeisterDrucke-1092759).jpg "Hebe by Antonio Canova")
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.jpg "Male Nude, Creugas of Durazzo, from Pausanias description of the Nemean Games in his Itinary of Greece by Antonio Canova")
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 1794 (pen and ink) - (MeisterDrucke-200982).jpg "Male Nude, Damoxenos of Syracuse, from Pausanias")
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.jpg "Ajax, Back View, from the Works of Canova by Antonio Canova")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-146077).jpg "Cupid and Psyche, 1796 by Antonio Canova")
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_drawing_-_(MeisterDrucke-1117297).jpg "Study of male nude leaning on plinth by Antonio Canova")
_drawing_-_(MeisterDrucke-1117297).jpg)
_Holy_Roman_Emperor_(marble)_-_(MeisterDrucke-260363).jpg "Portrait Bust of Francis I (1708-65), Holy Roman Emperor by Antonio Canova")
_Holy_Roman_Emperor_(marble)_-_(MeisterDrucke-260363).jpg)
.jpg "Theseus and Centaur, Back View, from Oeuvre de Canova by Antonio Canova")
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.jpg "Self Portrait by Antonio Canova")
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_(marble)_(see_also_82132)_-_(MeisterDrucke-242016).jpg "Portrait of the Holy Roman Emperor Francis I (1708-65) by Antonio Canova")
_(marble)_(see_also_82132)_-_(MeisterDrucke-242016).jpg)
 - (MeisterDrucke-149058).jpg "Cupid and Psyche, 1796 by Antonio Canova")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-379241).jpg "The Return of Telemachus by Antonio Canova")
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.jpg "The Ancient Sculpture Apollo Crowning Himself - 1782 - Antonio Canova by Antonio Canova")
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 as Venus Triumphant c1805-08 (marble) - (MeisterDrucke-91243).jpg "Pauline Bonaparte (1780-1825) as Venus Triumphant, c.1805-08 by Antonio Canova")
 as Venus Triumphant c1805-08 (marble) - (MeisterDrucke-91243).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1080897).jpg "Hebe by Antonio Canova")
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_Represent_in_March_Peacekeeper_Bronze_sculpture_b_-_(MeisterDrucke-1058568).jpg "Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) Bronze Sculpture by Antonio Canova (1809) Court of the Palace Brera, Milan by Antonio Canova")
_Represent_in_March_Peacekeeper_Bronze_sculpture_b_-_(MeisterDrucke-1058568).jpg)
.jpg "Charity, from Oeuvre de Canova by Antonio Canova")
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_marble_sculpture_220_cm_height_-_(MeisterDrucke-1117632).jpg "Daedalus and Icarus by Antonio Canova")
_marble_sculpture_220_cm_height_-_(MeisterDrucke-1117632).jpg)
.jpg "Lamentation over the Dead Christ, by Antonio Canova, detail by Antonio Canova")
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.jpg "Sketch for the Tomb of Archduchess Marie Christine, Daughter of Empress Maria Theresia and Wife of Duke Albert of Saxe-Teschen by Antonio Canova")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-222967).jpg "Portrait Bust of Napoleon Bonaparte by Antonio Canova")
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.jpg "Ettore, Side View, from Oeuvre de Canova by Antonio Canova")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-277720).jpg "Cupid and Psyche by Antonio Canova")
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_marble_statue_-_(MeisterDrucke-1088437).jpg "Hebe by Antonio Canova, Marble Statue by Antonio Canova")
_marble_statue_-_(MeisterDrucke-1088437).jpg)
_plaster_model_-_(MeisterDrucke-1088436).jpg "Venus Crowning Love by Antonio Canova, Plaster Model by Antonio Canova")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-245796).jpg "Theseus and the Minotaur by Antonio Canova")
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.jpg "Venere Italica by Antonio Canova")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1583093).jpg "Amor and Psyche by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1583093).jpg)
 (see also 266965 and 266966) - (MeisterDrucke-180630).jpg "Three Graces, 1812-16 by Antonio Canova")
 (see also 266965 and 266966) - (MeisterDrucke-180630).jpg)
.jpg "The Ancient Sculpture Apollo Crowning Himself - 1782 - Antonio Canova by Antonio Canova")
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.jpg "Mars and Venus by Antonio Canova")
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.jpg "Two Sketches for The Three Graces by Antonio Canova")
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 - (MeisterDrucke-161791).jpg "Daedalus and Icarus by Antonio Canova")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1087462).jpg "Letitia Ramolino Bonaparte, c.1805 by Antonio Canova")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-379239).jpg "Socrates Drinking the Cup of Hemlock by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-379239).jpg)
_marble_relief_-_(MeisterDrucke-1088570).jpg "The Mourning of Countess de Haro by Antonio Canova")
_marble_relief_-_(MeisterDrucke-1088570).jpg)
.jpg "Self-Portrait by Antonio Canova")
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.jpg "Self-Portrait by Antonio Canova")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-951942).jpg "Hercules and Lycas (by Antonio Canova) by Antonio Canova")
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.jpg "Front View of the Tomb Monument (series title: Tomb Monument of Maria Christina, Archduchess of Austria, in the Augustinerkirche in Vienna) by Karl Joseph Aloys Agricola")
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.jpg "Funerary Monument of Prince William of Orange Nassau, from Oeuvre de Canova by Antonio Canova")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-379238).jpg "Socrates Leaving His Family by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-379238).jpg)
.jpg "Endymion by Antonio Canova")
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 1783-92 (marble) - (MeisterDrucke-283486).jpg "Tomb of Pope Clement XIII by Antonio Canova")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1094169).jpg "Penitent Magdalene by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1094169).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-379245).jpg "Sons of Alcynous Dancing by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-379245).jpg)
.jpg "George Washington, Front View, from Oeuvre de Canova by Antonio Canova")
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.jpg "Amor and Psyche, 1808 by Antonio Canova")
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_Possagno_V_-_(MeisterDrucke-1090856).jpg "Lamentation of Christ, Terracotta Sketch by Antonio Canova, Possagno, Veneto, Italy by Antonio Canova")
_Possagno_V_-_(MeisterDrucke-1090856).jpg)
 - (MeisterDrucke-263464).jpg "Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Triumphant, c.1805-08 by Antonio Canova")
 - (MeisterDrucke-263464).jpg)
 - (MeisterDrucke-175560).jpg "Sleeping Nymph, c.1820-24 by Antonio Canova")
 - (MeisterDrucke-175560).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-240102).jpg "Socrates Drinks the Cup of Hemlock, c.1787 by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-240102).jpg)
.jpg "Psyche Brought Back to Life by the Kiss of Amor by Antonio Canova")
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 (see also 266966 and 266967) - (MeisterDrucke-209918).jpg "Three Graces by Antonio Canova")
 (see also 266966 and 266967) - (MeisterDrucke-209918).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1422623).jpg "Hercules Firing Arrows at his Children by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1422623).jpg)
 (detail) (see also 698750) - (MeisterDrucke-158825).jpg "Dancer with finger on chin (detail) by Antonio Canova")
 (detail) (see also 698750) - (MeisterDrucke-158825).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-379621).jpg "Venus and Cupid, 1798-99 by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-379621).jpg)
.jpg "Statue of the Kreugas by Antonio Canova")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1088521).jpg "Self-Portrait by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1088521).jpg)
 - (MeisterDrucke-250087).jpg "Theseus Slaying a Centaur by Antonio Canova")
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.jpg "Tomb of the Archduchess Maria Christine, Favourite Daughter of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria by Antonio Canova")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1080843).jpg "Self portrait by Antonio Canova by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1080843).jpg)
.jpg "Laura by Antonio Canova")
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_oil_on_canvas_-_(MeisterDrucke-1092761).jpg "Venus with Mirror by Antonio Canova")
_oil_on_canvas_-_(MeisterDrucke-1092761).jpg)
_clay_model_-_(MeisterDrucke-1117630).jpg "Cupid and Psyche by Antonio Canova")
_clay_model_-_(MeisterDrucke-1117630).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-379248).jpg "The Hope by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-379248).jpg)
 (see also 266965 and 266967) - (MeisterDrucke-246869).jpg "Three Graces, 1812-16 (marble) by Antonio Canova")
 (see also 266965 and 266967) - (MeisterDrucke-246869).jpg)
.jpg "Lamentation Over the Dead Christ (Detail) by Antonio Canova")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-274133).jpg "Head of a Dancer, 1820 by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-274133).jpg)
_or_Archpriest_Church_of_the_Holy_Trinit_-_(MeisterDrucke-1079933).jpg "Pronaos, Canova Temple or Archpriest Church of the Holy Trinity, designed by Antonio Canova, Possagno, Veneto, Italy by Antonio Canova")
_or_Archpriest_Church_of_the_Holy_Trinit_-_(MeisterDrucke-1079933).jpg)
.jpg "Ajax, Front View, from Oeuvre de Canova by Antonio Canova")
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.jpg "Lamentation over the Dead Christ, detail by Antonio Canova")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-379247).jpg "Achilles delivering Briseis to Agamemnon’s Heralds by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-379247).jpg)
_marble_sculpture_220_cm_height_-_(MeisterDrucke-1092762).jpg "Daedalus and Icarus by Antonio Canova")
_marble_sculpture_220_cm_height_-_(MeisterDrucke-1092762).jpg)
.jpg "Ettore, Front View, from Oeuvre de Canova by Antonio Canova")
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.jpg "Lamentation over the Dead Christ, detail by Antonio Canova")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-154872).jpg "Ideal Head by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-154872).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1056107).jpg "Statue of Damoxenus, c.1800 by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1056107).jpg)
 - (MeisterDrucke-282211).jpg "Monument to Vittorio Alfieri by Antonio Canova")
 - (MeisterDrucke-282211).jpg)
 (see also 79618) - (MeisterDrucke-260230).jpg "Venus, lateral view by Antonio Canova")
 (see also 79618) - (MeisterDrucke-260230).jpg)
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1089892).jpg "Napoleon Bonaparte by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1089892).jpg)
.jpg "Three dancers by Antonio Canova")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1080898).jpg "Letitia Ramolino Bonaparte by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1080898).jpg)
.jpg "The Three Graces by Antonio Canova")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-379249).jpg "The Justice by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-379249).jpg)
_drawing_-_(MeisterDrucke-1117296).jpg "Female figure in three different positions by Antonio Canova")
_drawing_-_(MeisterDrucke-1117296).jpg)
 (see al - (MeisterDrucke-254184).jpg "Psyche Revived by the Kiss of Cupid 1787-93 (marble) by Antonio Canova")
 (see al - (MeisterDrucke-254184).jpg)
.jpg "Theseus and Centaur, Front View, from Oeuvre de Canova by Antonio Canova")
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_-_(MeisterDrucke-1056106).jpg "Palamede, Hall of Marble by Antonio Canova")
_-_(MeisterDrucke-1056106).jpg)
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