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The Venus Italica is a
According to art critic Edward Lucie-Smith the artistic expression of sexual vulnerability is conveyed better than on the original ''Venus de Medici''. Most viewers have noticed Canova's superior craftmanship on marble surfaces and textures. His unique technique and ability to achieve the illusion of human flesh has been called the ''Direct touch''. Canova would eventually begin to display his studio works in candlelight. Intrigued by the effects of the light and shade of the candles on the translucent marble surface Canova soon began to further soften the transitions between the various parts of the statue and rub them down with special tools and pumice stone, sometimes for weeks or months. Finally he would apply an unknown compound of
The Venus Italica is a marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or Dolomite (mineral), dolomite. Marble is typically not Foliation (geology), foliated (layered), although there are exceptions. In geology, the ...
sculpture commissioned by Napoléon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...
and fashioned by Italian sculptor Antonio Canova
Antonio Canova (; 1 November 1757 – 13 October 1822) was an Italian Neoclassical sculptor, famous for his marble sculptures. Often regarded as the greatest of the Neoclassical artists,. his sculpture was inspired by the Baroque and the cl ...
. Canova finished the original work in 1802 and modelled two further variants which he completed in 1819. The work was to serve as a replacement for the ''Venus de Medici
The Venus de' Medici or Medici Venus is a tall Hellenistic marble sculpture depicting the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite. It is a 1st-century BC marble copy, perhaps made in Athens, of a bronze original Greek sculpture, following the type of t ...
'' sculpture, a copy of an antique
An antique ( la, antiquus; 'old', 'ancient') is an item perceived as having value because of its aesthetic or historical significance, and often defined as at least 100 years old (or some other limit), although the term is often used loosely ...
work by Cleomenes of Athens, which had been seized, taken to France and placed in the Louvre
The Louvre ( ), or the Louvre Museum ( ), is the world's most-visited museum, and an historic landmark in Paris, France. It is the home of some of the best-known works of art, including the ''Mona Lisa'' and the ''Venus de Milo''. A central l ...
in 1802 by orders of Bonaparte. After Napoleon's abdication the ''Venus de Medici'' was returned to Italy on 27 December 1815 and is since on display in the ''Room of Venus'' in the ''Galleria Palatina'' at the Palazzo Pitti in Florence
Florence ( ; it, Firenze ) is a city in Central Italy and the capital city of the Tuscany region. It is the most populated city in Tuscany, with 383,083 inhabitants in 2016, and over 1,520,000 in its metropolitan area.Bilancio demografico an ...
.
History
Early 19th century president of the ''Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
The Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze ("academy of fine arts of Florence") is an instructional art academy in Florence, in Tuscany, in central Italy.
It was founded by Cosimo I de' Medici in 1563, under the influence of Giorgio Vasari. ...
'' (Florence Academy of Fine Arts) Count Giovanni degli Alessandri encouraged the ingenious Neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova to create a copy of the ''Venus de Medici''. Canova approved and set to work on the ''Venus Italica'', which is considered to be one of his masterpieces in both, artistic conception and craftship.
According to art critic Edward Lucie-Smith the artistic expression of sexual vulnerability is conveyed better than on the original ''Venus de Medici''. Most viewers have noticed Canova's superior craftmanship on marble surfaces and textures. His unique technique and ability to achieve the illusion of human flesh has been called the ''Direct touch''. Canova would eventually begin to display his studio works in candlelight. Intrigued by the effects of the light and shade of the candles on the translucent marble surface Canova soon began to further soften the transitions between the various parts of the statue and rub them down with special tools and pumice stone, sometimes for weeks or months. Finally he would apply an unknown compound of patina
Patina ( or ) is a thin layer that variously forms on the surface of copper, brass, bronze and similar metals and metal alloys (tarnish produced by oxidation or other chemical processes) or certain stones and wooden furniture (sheen produced b ...
onto the flesh of the sculpture to lighten the skin tone. This process has been called the ''Last touch''.
References
{{Canova , state = expanded Sculptures by Antonio Canova Marble sculptures Sculptures in Florence Collections of Palazzo Pitti Sculptures of Venus Sculptures of women in Italy