If anything's an argument for the objectivity of beauty and the value of art, Canova is it. He was, objectively, splendid, as I've just discovered:
To have a look (my advice!), go on The State Heritage Museum website and type Canova into the search bar. The descriptions that go with the sculptures are really useful, if not essential, if you're not familiar with the sculptures and their contexts.
This is a direct link to a page with photos at the bottom:
http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/fcgi-bin/db2www/quickSearch.mac/gallery?selLang=English&tmCond=canova&Go.x=0&Go.y=0
But those photos weren't working for me so you might need to try this one...
http://www.artrenewal.org/articles/2003/Antonio_Canova/bio1.asp
...for the sculptures alone with no descriptions. You do really need the descriptions though, at least for some of them, like Orpheus.
O, Orpheus... "asterix sniff" doesn't really do the great man justice does it?
Well, happy admiring :-)
(To all those millions of avid readers I get on this thing)
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2 comments:
Wow!
Thank you so much for this post.
I enjoyed Canova's "Paris" and the "Three Graces" the most. Although Paris appeared slightly feminine to me?
Thanks for your comment, I'm very glad to have been able to share them with someone!
Yes, "Paris" is quite feminine... I couldn't find a description/ explanation for that one which for me makes it hard to judge. There is something divine about the face and the expression though.
I couldn't really pick a favourite, but both the "Cupid and Psyche" one, and "Orpheus", just seem perfect for what they portray, and are quite moving. Same for the "Repentant Mary Magdalene" actually... ok ok and all of them!
Thanks again for the comment
Sally
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