Statue of a recumbent lion
1825–1900
Medium
Lithograph; printed on both sides
Dimensions
Sheet: 9 5/16 × 13 7/16 in. (23.7 × 34.2 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. John H. Wright, 1949
Accession Number
49.116.27
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Statue of a Rec Lion*, a captivating 19th-century lithograph (ca. 1825–1900) that captures the serene power of its sculptural subject. Attributed to the neoclassical master Antonio Canova or an anonymous artist, this print reproduces a majestic recumbent lion—a motif symbolizing strength, nobility, and in art across cultures, from ancient Egypt to Renaissance. Canova, renowned for his elegant marble sculptures evoking classical antiquity, often infused his works with lifelike anatomy and poised grace, making this lion a testament to his influence even in reproductive prints. Litho...
About the Artist
Antonio Canova|Anonymous · 1757–1822
Antonio Canova, born on November 1, 1757, in the small town of Possagno in the Republic of Venice, was immersed in sculpture from childhood. His father, Pietro Canova, a stonecutter, died when Antonio was just four, prompting his mother, Angela Zardo Fantolin, to remarry and place him under the care of his paternal grandfather, Pasino Canova. A skilled stonemason and sculptor of late Baroque altar...