Antonio Canova (Italian, 1757–1822)
Head of Medusa
INV-1602
Antonio Canova (Italian, 1757–1822)c. 1801
Head of Medusa
Antonio Canova (Italian, 1757–1822) →Neoclassicismnineteenth century19th centurysculpturebust/head
Date
c. 1801
Medium
Plaster
Dimensions
31 × 31.8 × 30.5 cm (12 1/4 × 12 9/16 × 12 1/16 in.); With socle: 116.3 × 53.4 × 49.6 cm (45 3/4 × 21 × 19 1/2 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Lacy Armour Endowment
Neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova dominated Rome’s artistic scene at the turn of the 19th century. This plaster is a partial model for his large-scale marble statue Perseus Holding the Head of Medusa. According to Greek mythology, Medusa was a serpent-haired creature called a Gorgon whose gaze turned anyone who beheld her into stone. Perseus killed Medusa as she slept by using a mirrored shield to approach her and sever her head, which he continued to carry as a weapon, using it to petrify his enemies. Here, Canova depicted Medusa’s decapitated head, with its blank eyes, slack mouth, and cheeks caressed by snakes.
Also notable
Works in the same vein
