One of Canova’s most masterly sculptures, his marble portrait of the beautiful Paulina, sister to Napoleon.
A commission which drew upon all his artistic skills, to portray her without accusation of exhibitionism, luckily she was delighted with the finished work, which is now on permanent display in the Galleria Borghese, Rome.
The reclining Pauline Bonaparte holds an apple in her hand evoking the Venus Victrix in the judgement of Paris, who was chosen to settle a dispute between Juno (power), Minerva (arts and science) and Venus (love).
This marble statue of Pauline in a highly refined pose is considered a supreme example of the Neoclassical style.
Antonio Canova executed this portrait between 1805 and 1808 without the customary drapery of a person of high rank, an exception at the time, thus transforming this historical figure into a goddes of antiquity in a pose of classical tranquillity and noble semplicity.
The base of the original housed a mechanism that caused the sculpture to rotate, as in the case of other works by Canova. The roles of artwork and spectator were thus reversed, it was the sculpture that moved whilst the spectator stood still and observed the splendid statue from all angles.
Premium Marble Cast
Our sculptures are produced using a unique and proprietary dry casting process. Crafted with white Carrara marble, over 90% of each finished sculpture is composed of natural marble, giving it the authentic look and feel of genuine marble. Eighty percent of the process is dedicated to hand-finishing the surface. This intensive hand-finishing is essential to bring out the stone particles and enhance the natural stone feel. Each piece is meticulously completed by our skilled artisans, guaranteeing the highest level of craftsmanship and quality.
Owning one of our Premium White Carrara Marble Cast sculptures is like possessing a genuine piece of European craftsmanship, embodying a tradition of excellence and artistry. Unlike mass-produced alternatives, our sculptures are meticulously hand-finished, ensuring each piece is a unique and superior work of art.
Elevate your home with a timeless masterpiece. ❤️
Length: 19.5"
Depth: 5.1"
Weight: 22lbs