Portret van Antonio Canova c. 1829 - 1840

This is Carl Mayer's portrait of Antonio Canova. Look closely at Canova's gaze; it's a direct, unwavering stare, a convention that stretches back through the ages to ancient Roman portraiture, and even further to the sculpted visages of Egyptian pharaohs. This gaze, imbued with authority and self-assurance, connects Canova to a lineage of powerful figures who sought to project an image of unwavering strength and control. This is not merely a physical likeness, but a carefully constructed symbol of status and intellect. Think of the way this gaze recurs, transformed but still potent, in the portraits of Renaissance princes and Enlightenment philosophers. The underlying intent remains: to fix in the viewer's mind an image of undeniable presence and enduring legacy. Like an ancient symbol passed down, its meaning morphs yet it remains, tapping into our deep-seated understanding of power and permanence.