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Sleeping Nymph

Figure
ca.1820-1824 (carved)
Artist/Maker
Canova, Antonio (sculptor)
Canova, Antonio (workshop of)
Place of origin
Rome (made)

This statue representing a sleeping nymph was made by Antonio Canova (1757-1822) and finished by his assistants after the master's death.
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.

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read Antonio Canova – an introduction Italian sculptor Antonio Canova (1757 – 1822) is considered the leading figure of the Neoclassical style, inspired by the sculptures of Ancient Greece and Rome. His sculptures such as 'The Three Graces' and 'Theseus and the Minotaur' were praised for their idealised beauty and their calm y...

Object details

Categories
Access_to_Images 2003
Sculpture
SCRAN
Object type
Figure
TitleSleeping Nymph (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Marble
Marble
Carved
Brief description
Statue, marble, of a Sleeping Nymph, by Antonio Canova, Rome, ca. 1821-1824
Physical description
A naked girl, or nymph, is seen sleeping on a rock partly covered with drapery.
Dimensions
  • Length: 194.3cm
  • Width: 80cm
  • Weight: 900kg
  • Plinth weight: 400kg
400 kg is plinth weight alone which measures H x 930 L x 2286 W x 1086
Credit line
Given by Art Fund
Subject depicted
Nymph
Summary
This statue representing a sleeping nymph was made by Antonio Canova (1757-1822) and finished by his assistants after the master's death.
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.
Associated object
Bibliographic references
  • Moses, H. The works of Antonio Canova in sculpture and modelling. London, 1824. III.
  • Meyer, A. G. Canova. Bielefeld, Leipzig, Velhagen & Klasing, 1898. p. 97. fig. 81.
  • Victoria and Albert Museum, Review of the Principal Acquisitions During the Year 1930. London. pp. 3-4. pl. III.
  • 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 Canova. Edinburgh, 1995. pp. 78-9.
  • 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.
  • Androsov, Sergej et al. Canova Milano : Skira, 2003, cat.IV.14
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.30-1930

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O16238/sleeping-nymph-figure-canova-antonio/
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