Antonio Canova (1757–1822)
Bozzetto for George Washington, 1817
Plaster
31 1/2 x 18 1/8 x 25 5/8 in. (80 x 46 x 65 cm)
Gypsotheca e Museo Antonio Canova, Possagno
Fondazione Canova onlus, Possagno; photo Fabio Zonta
In the final sketch for the sculpture, Canova created a more finished model. Here, the figure’s armor is highly decorated. The artist replaced the crown and scepter, seen in the second bozzetto, with a sword and baton more appropriate for a republican statesman. The words on the tablet are also reordered: PATRIA / LIBERTAS / ET LEX (Homeland, Liberty, and Law).