Canova, Antonio (1757-1822)
Venere e Marte (Venus and Mars)
1815–1819
Marble, 208 x 137 x 65.5 cm
Royal Collection, Buckingham Palace, London
A full length marble statue of Mars and Venus, standing. Venus stands partially draped gazing upwards at Mars, who wears a Roman centurion style helmet and holds a spear.
This magnificent sculpture of the Roman Gods ‘Mars and Venus’ was carved from a single marble block. It was commissioned by the Prince Regent for Carlton House in 1815 during Canova‘s visit to London to see the Elgin Marbles. It represents an allegory of War and Peace after England’s victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. (Royal Collection)