3Pauline Bonaparte By Canova (Room I)

We can definitely consider Canova to be the marble master of the 19th century in Italy. Camillo Borghese entrusted this sculpture to Canova in 1803 to celebrate his marriage with Paolina Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon Bonaparte. Canova dedicated an entire side of his atelier to this project, where Paolina used to go and pose for the artist. He portrays the woman as a winning Venus with an apple in her hand—a symbol of Venus’s victory after Paris’s choice.

Many say that Antonio Canova, the artist, was a very handsome man and that Paolina may have fallen for him. The apple in her hand may have also represented the temptation she had for Canova. Paolina, in a relaxed pose, is covered only by a light blanket. The bed is incredibly realistic. Again, this is a site you must see in person. As with Canova’s other sculptures, even this one is made with white shiny marble that still preserves its initial splendor and colors.

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