Displays of Power: Canova’s Sculptures of Greatness

Christina Ferando, Jonathan Edwards College, Yale University
June 13, 2018

Antonio Canova, one of the most celebrated sculptors of the early nineteenth century, was frequently commissioned to immortalize the political, civic, and cultural figures of Europe. In creating sculptures of powerful men and idealized women, Canova was as attentive to their presentation and public display as he was to the elegance of form and precision of carving.

This lecture explores Canova’s iconic statue of George Washington alongside his broader visual language of greatness, offering insight into how art, power, and public image converged in his work.

This lecture is supported by the Robert H. Smith Family Foundation.