Portrait of Antonio Canova (1757-1822)

Unknown artist

This frail old man is Antonio Canova, the most celebrated sculptor in Europe around 1800, and a model for many of Rome’s young artists. Despite its lifelike appearance, the sculpture was made after Canova’s death, based on his death mask. Perhaps it was Adamo Tadolini who made the sculpture; he was one of Canova’s last assistants and may have indented this as a tribute to his former master.