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The image is a relief portrait of a man's head with detailed, wavy hair. The profile view highlights the nose and chin. Inscribed "ANTONIO CANOVA," it is a medallion made of bronze. The medallion is circular, with the portrait at the center and inscriptions around the edge. The material's texture and realistic facial features give the piece depth despite its flat form.
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The image is a relief portrait of a man's head with detailed, wavy hair. The profile view highlights the nose and chin. Inscribed "ANTONIO CANOVA," it is a medallion made of bronze. The medallion is circular, with the portrait at the center and inscriptions around the edge. The material's texture and realistic facial features give the piece depth despite its flat form.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

Antonio Canova, 1757-1822, Sculptor [obverse]

Francesco Putinati

Date
after 1823
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
overall (diameter): 3.4 cm (1 5/16 in.)
Classification
Sculpture · Medal/Medallion
Accession number
2012.108.12.a
Credit line
Gift of Faya Causey in memory of Philip Conisbee
Time span
1801 to 1825
Department
CSD
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • Italian
  • struck
  • head facing right
  • portrait
  • Acquired after publication of Medals
  • Canova, Antonio
Provenance

Philip Conisbee [1946-2008]; his wife, Faya Causey, Washington, D.C.; gift 2012 to NGA.

Inscription

around circumference: ANTONIO CANOVA; below the truncation: PUTINATI / F

NGA object ID 160863. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.