This statue representing a sleeping nymph was made by Antonio Canova (b. 1757-d. 1822). Canova made the plaster model for this figure in 1820. In 1821 he was commissioned to make a marble version for Lord Lansdowne, but this was unfinished at his death. It was completed in his workshop, and sent to Lord Lansdowne in 1824.
Physical description
A naked girl, or nymph, is seen sleeping on a rock partly covered with drapery.
Place of Origin
Rome, Italy (made)
Date
ca. 1820-1824 (carved)
Artist/maker
Canova, born 1757 - died 1822 (sculptor)
Materials and Techniques
Marble
Dimensions
Length: 194.3 cm, Width: 80 cm, Weight: 900 kg, Weight: 400 kg PLINTH
Descriptive line
Marble figure of a Sleeping Nymph by Antonio Canova, Rome, ca. 1820-1824
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Maclagan, Eric and Longhurst, Margaret H. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture. London, 1932. p. 166.
Pope-Hennessy, John. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London: HMSO, 1964. cat. no. 701.
Hubert, G. La sculpture dans l'Italie Napolèonienne. Paris, 1964. fig. 209. pp. 433-438.
Bober, P. P., Rubinstein, R. D. Renaissance Artists and Antique Sculpture, A Handbook of Sources. Oxford, 1986. p. 130.
Clifford, T. et. al. The Three Graces Antonio Carmova. Edinburugh, 1995. pp. 78-9.
for the visit of Lord Minto to Canova's studio in February 1822, where he saw the Sleeping Nymph.
Victoria and Albert Museum, Review of the Principal Acquisitions During the Year 1930. London. pp. 3-4. pl. III.
Grandesso, S. In: Coliva, A., Mazzocca, F., eds. Canova e la Venere vincitrice. Milano, 2007. pp. 232-235.
Padiyas, S. Review of the exhibition, Canova e la Venere vincitrice. Burlington Magazine. CL. January, 2008. p. 58.
Meyer, A. G. Canova. Bielefeld, Leipzig, Velhagen & Klasing, 1898. p. 97. fig. 81.
Moses, H. The works of Antonio Canova in sculpture and modelling. London, 1824. III.
for illustrations of the model.
Exhibition History
Antonio Canova (Museo Civico 22/11/2003-18/04/2004)
Give & Take (Serpentine Gallery 30/01/2001-01/04/2001)
Subjects depicted
Nymph
Categories
Sculpture
Collection code
SCP
