Description
Pair of Canova-style sleeping lions in carved and lacquered fir and poplar wood, Venice, late 18th century. The sleeping lions were designed by Antonio Canova for the funeral monument of Clement XIII. The two animals, depicted in a lying position with their front legs outstretched, convey a sense of solemn quiet and vigilance. The manes, richly crafted with deep and well-defined curls, represent a technical virtuosity typical of Venetian wood sculpture of the time. The lacquering, now patinated by time, gives warmth and preciousness to the surface, with nuances that enhance the volumes and anatomical details. The faces, expressive but stylized, combine the power of the lion, a symbol of Venice par excellence, with a certain sweetness and humanization of the forms, reflecting the late Baroque and Rococo taste that characterized the Venetian decorative production of the late eighteenth century. These sculptures inspired by Canova's sleeping lions were probably intended for a prestigious architectural or furnishing context, perhaps to adorn a palace or an altar, and today represent a refined example of Venetian wood art, in which the symbolic function is combined with the craftsmanship.
Dimensions
HxWxD 70cm x 52cm x 125.5cm
Provenance
Private collection
Conditions
Defects and losses.
