Virtues Crowning the Bust of Canova

1812

Michele Sangiorgi

Associated Names
Michele Sangiorgi

Artist, Italian, died 1822

This is a drawing of a scene featuring classical elements and figures around a bust. The central bust of a man is on a tall pedestal, and there are various figures and scenes depicted around it. One figure appears fallen or reclining on the ground holding a laurel wreath, while two clothed figures kneel and hang a garland on the pedestal. To the right, three cloaked figures stand in conversation, with one winged figure pointing towards a temple in the background with classical columns. The style and composition suggest neoclassical influences, with an emphasis on idealized human forms and dramatic poses. The image is rendered in shades of brown, indicating the use of ink or wash techniques for depth and contrast.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown ink with brown and gray washes over graphite on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    The Helena E. M. Gunnarsson Fund

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 45.88 × 68.58 cm (18 1/16 × 27 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2023.49.1


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Private collection, Bologna; (Cortona Fine Art, Milan); purchased 2023 by NGA.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2022

  • Bellezza & Bizzarria, Cortona Fine Art, Milan, 2022, no.8 (cat. entry by Francesco Leone).

2023

  • Michele Sangiorgi Ineditus, Cortona Fine Art, Milan, 2023, no.1.

Bibliography

2022

  • Leone, Francesco, and S. Grandesso. Canova e il dolore: Le stelle Mellerio e il rinoovamento della rappresentazione sepolcrale. Treviso, 2022: no. 33.

  • Leone, Francesco. Antonio Canova: la vita e l'opera. Rome, 2022: 520 and fig. 261.

Inscriptions

in image in pen and brown ink: ALLA GLORIA / ANTONIO CANOVA; lower center in pen and brown ink: VIRTUS TRIUMPH