Antonio Canova ( Italian, 1757-1822 ) --- --- Dancer 1818-22
In 1812, when Canova sent his first “Dancer” to Empress Josephine, it created a sensation. One critic wrote: “ the charm of life and the illusion of movement in this, the simplest of compositions, drew all of Paris … I doubt that theatre’s most celebrated dancer has ever gathered such a crowd of admirers and received such applause.” Canova often carved multiple versions of his creations both to improve with each repetition and to meet the insatiable demands for his iconic works. This is a second version made for sir Charles Clarke, an English collector.
Antonio Canova ( Italian, 1757-1822 ) --- --- Dancer 1818-22
In 1812, when Canova sent his first “Dancer” to Empress Josephine, it created a sensation. One critic wrote: “ the charm of life and the illusion of movement in this, the simplest of compositions, drew all of Paris … I doubt that theatre’s most celebrated dancer has ever gathered such a crowd of admirers and received such applause.” Canova often carved multiple versions of his creations both to improve with each repetition and to meet the insatiable demands for his iconic works. This is a second version made for sir Charles Clarke, an English collector.