Industrial Revolution sculpture : Venus Victrix (Canova)

Industrial Revolution : Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix

        Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix or Venus Victorious is semi-nude life-size reclining Neo-Classical portrait sculpture by the Italian sculptor Antonio Canova between 1804 and 1808. She is the Princess Borghese. 
    
        Firstly, proportion of the sculpture has size 160 cm height and 192 cm length. In human scale, the statue has clear women shape within relax attitude and semi-nude. She wears wrap, bracelet on her right hand and headdress. Unity of Venus, The reclining Pauline Bonaparte in the center of the room holds an apple in her hand evoking the Venus Victrix in the judgement of Paris, who was chosen to settle a dispute between Juno is power, Minerva are arts and science and Venus is love. The wooden base, draped like a catafalque, once contained a mechanism that caused the sculpture to rotate, as in the case of other works by Canova. And this sculpture has used materials between base and Venus of continuation divisibly. Repetition and rhythm of her sofa is achieved in pattern and balancing.
      
        Secondary, similarity and contrast of Neo-Classical portrait sculpture is reviving the ancient Roman artistic traditions of portrayals of mortal individuals in the guise of the gods, and of the beautiful female form reclining on a couch as most often seen in reclining portrayals of Hermaphroditi. Venus holds an apple in her hand means evoking Aphrodite's victory in the Judgement of Paris. Material of Venus is white marble and base is wooden, that has realism of texture in sculpture whether Venus, base, and sofa. Base of Venus is sofa that has designed Geometric, flowers pattern and curtain. 

        Thirdly, emphasis This marble statue of Pauline in a highly refined pose is considered a supreme example of the Neoclassical style. Antonio Canova executed this portrait without the customary drapery of a person of high rank, an exception at the time, thus transforming this historical figure into a goddess of antiquity in a pose of classical tranquillity and noble simplicity.

        Lastly, this period has emphasised in realism of texture and more relax attitude of Venus. Her action is eating apple and half sitting half lying, so that means victrix. Meaning of this sculpture has shown they believe in luck.  
        

                                     55120500058 ; SURACHADA SILAWATANAWONGSE