Artwork/ Sculpture: Theseus and the Minotaur

Artist/ Sculptor: Canova, Antonio

Created: 1782

Materials and Techniques: Marble

Dimensions: Height: 145.4 cm, Length: 158.7 cm, Width: 91.4 cm, Weight: 940 kg marble group, Weight: 238 kg base

Location: Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK

Photography credit: LillynisthArtist’ s Concept

“

The legendary Greek hero Theseus sits astride the minotaur whom he has just killed. Coils of thread used by Theseus to retrace his steps from the minotaur’s lair can be seen by the minotaur’s left leg. This was one of Canova’s earliest completed works after he left Venice to settle in Rome in 1780. The massive block of marble from which this group was carved was given to Canova by his patron Girolamo Zulian, who was Venetian ambassador in Rome in 1781. Zulian gave Canova the choice of subject for the work, and he decided on one of the stories from Ovid’s.” (V&AM)

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