The Three Graces after 1825

Antonio Canova carved this version of ‘The Three Graces’ in marble in the early 1800s. It is one of two versions, and the only one currently in a public museum. In Canova’s time, museums were still in the process of defining their purpose. Were they to be places of public education or private enjoyment for a privileged elite? How should ancient and modern art be displayed together? This sculpture reflects these questions. The Graces are a classical subject, but Canova presents them with a Neoclassical aesthetic. The composition is reminiscent of ancient sculpture, while the smooth, polished surfaces and idealized forms reflect the Enlightenment emphasis on reason and order. To fully appreciate this work, we need to consult period writings on aesthetics, museum history, and the history of sculpture. In doing so, we discover its role in shaping contemporary notions of beauty and taste, as well as the complex politics of display that shaped the modern museum.