Memoirs of Antonio Canova
With a Critical Analysis of his Works, and an Historical View of Modern Sculpture

An 1825 biography of the most innovative and celebrated neoclassical sculptor, prefaced by a history of modern sculpture.

John Smythe Memes (Author)

9781108065917, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 19 September 2013

600 pages, 4 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 3.4 cm, 0.75 kg

The foremost neoclassical sculptor of his age, Antonio Canova (1757–1822) is best known for his masterpiece The Three Graces, embodying in marble an ideal of feminine beauty. Descended from stonecutters, Canova was apprenticed to the sculptor Giuseppe Bernardi, quickly establishing his reputation for originality through works such as Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss. The idealism of his art, moving away from ornate baroque style, did much to increase the popularity of contemporary sculpture, and his skills were greatly acclaimed and in demand during his lifetime. The present work, first published in 1825 by the Scottish minister John Smythe Memes (1795–1858), is one of the many eulogistic works that appeared soon after Canova's death. Opening with a contextualising history of the development of modern sculpture, the book closely studies Canova's body of work and also contains a chronological catalogue of his creations with details of their owners and locations.

1. Advantages of commencing with an historical review of modern sculpture
2. Sculpture during the sixteenth century
3. Birth and parentage of Canova
4. Arrival of Canova in Venice
5. State of the arts during the latter half of the eighteenth century
6. Difficulties and opposition experienced by Canova
7. Full establishment of Canova's reputation
8. Retrospective view
Appendix.

Subject Areas: The arts: general issues [AB]