Venus Italica (work of art)
Artwork Info
Key Ideas about this Work of Art
- This neoclassical sculpture depicts Venus, the Roman goddess of love.
- Neoclassicism was an art movement that sought to revive ancient Greek and Roman art and culture in Europe.
- Antonio Canova was an Italian artist who created neoclassical-style sculptures.
- This is one of several replicas (copies) of Canova’s original sculpture. It was made by his workshop assistants.
Learn More
This sculpture of the Roman goddess of love is a replica of the original. In both ancient and modern times, Venus symbolizes fertility, sex, love, and imperial power. This marble statue of Venus is neoclassical in style. Neoclassicism was a cultural movement in the 18th and 19th centuries. Art and architecture inspired by ancient Greece and Rome became popular during this time period.
Italian sculptor Antonio Canova brought neoclassical style to the art of sculpture. He was commissioned, or hired, to create the Venus Italica (Italian Venus). It was intended to replace an ancient Greek statue (the Medici Venus) that Napoleon seized and took to France in 1802.
Canova did not sculpt this replica. It was made by his workshop assistants after he created the original sculpture. Many successful artists during Canova’s time had assistants who helped them complete their commissions. Sometimes (as in this case) the assistants created the work without the artist’s help.
This copy of Canova’s marble Venus was instantly successful. At least four copies of the sculpture were made before the artist’s death. The original version of the Venus Italica is housed in the Pitti Palace in Florence, Italy.
Additional Resources
Resources for Teachers
- Read the artist’s biography.
- Read an article about the history and symbolism of Venus.
- Read an essay about neoclassicism.
- Read an article about the role of artist workshops.
Resources for Students
- Explore a web page to see other works by Canova.
- View an ancient Roman sculpture of Venus and consider its similarities to Venus Italica (which was made nearly 1,700 years later).
- Watch a video of an artist recreating this sculpture with different materials.
Images
-
Venus Italica
-
Venus Italica
-
Venus Italica