Bust of Napoleon 1803 - 1819

Antonio Canova carved this marble bust of Napoleon, a man who rapidly rose to prominence in post-revolutionary France. Canova was the most famous sculptor in Europe at the time and Napoleon commissioned many works from him to legitimize his new regime. The bust presents Napoleon as a powerful leader, but also references classical ideals of beauty. The clear, smooth surfaces and idealized features draw on ancient Greek and Roman sculpture, associating Napoleon with the emperors of the past. This was a deliberate attempt to link Napoleon's rule with the grandeur and stability of previous empires, thereby reinforcing his authority and status. Historical archives from that era, and studies into patronage, can tell us a lot about the relationship between the artist and the sitter. This helps us understand the political role of art and the social conditions that shape artistic production.