San Marino · 200th anniversary of the death of Antonio Canova

Antonio Canova (1757–1822) was an Italian sculptor and one of the leading representatives of European Neoclassicism. He came from Possagno in Veneto, received his training in Venice and later worked mainly in Rome. His sculptures were based on ancient Greek and Roman art. Typical features are idealised body forms, calm movements and carefully worked marble surfaces. His patrons included popes, European ruling houses and members of the Napoleonic circle. Among his best-known works are his depictions of Cupid and Psyche (Amor und Psyche) and the portrait of Paolina Borghese as Venus Victrix.

Canova was active not only as an artist. In the Papal States (Kirchenstaat), he assumed responsibilities for the protection and administration of works of art. After the end of Napoleonic rule, he also contributed to the repatriation of works of art that had been brought from Italy to France. In this way, he also took on an institutional role in the European art and cultural life of the time.

Hebe originates from Greek mythology. She is regarded as the daughter of Zeus and Hera and as the embodiment of youth. On Mount Olympus, she served nectar to the gods. She later married Heracles after he had been admitted among the gods. The vessel and bowl with which she is often depicted refer to her role as the cupbearer of the gods.

Canova addressed this mythological subject several times and produced several marble versions of Hebe. The version in Forlì was created as a late version. The subject offered him the opportunity to combine a figure appearing to float or walk lightly with the neoclassical ideal of a youthful body.

No direct biographical connection between Canova and San Marino is evident. Rather, the issue is connected with the repeated commemoration of personalities and works from the history of Italian art and culture on San Marino coins. The anniversary provided a clearly datable occasion for this.