19th Century Italian Carrara Marble Figure of Venus Italica After Antonio Canova – Neoclassical Reduction.

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This finely crafted miniature sculpture is a faithful 19th-century reduction of Antonio Canova's iconic Venus Italica (original marble completed ca. … Read more This finely crafted miniature sculpture is a faithful 19th-century reduction of Antonio Canova's iconic Venus Italica (original marble completed ca. 1810–1812, housed in the Palazzo Pitti, Florence). Canova's masterpiece, celebrated for its graceful modesty and neoclassical purity, depicts the goddess Venus emerging from her bath, demurely covering her breasts with one hand while holding a flowing drapery with the other. Her hair is elegantly gathered in a classical chignon, her expression serene and contemplative, and she stands on a small stepped base with a characteristic cista (jewel box) at her feet.

This smaller version, standing 36 cm tall (including the integral base), captures the essence of Canova's original with remarkable detail: the soft, naturalistic folds of the drapery cascading over her body, the subtle contrapposto pose, and the refined carving of facial features, toes, and hair curls. Carved from high-quality Carrara marble (the same luminous white stone favored by Canova and Italian workshops of the period), it displays a beautiful natural aged patina that has accumulated in the crevices and folds over time, enhancing its antique charm and depth. See less