Theseus and the Centaur 1819

Antonio Canova's marble sculpture "Theseus and the Centaur" (1819) depicts the Greek hero Theseus's victory over the monstrous centaur. Canova, a leading Neoclassical sculptor, evokes the style of ancient Greek art with his idealized figures and dynamic composition. The dramatic scene captures the moment of triumph, with Theseus powerfully wielding a club as he subdues the centaur. Canova's use of marble adds to the sculpture's classical aesthetic, emphasizing the idealized beauty of the human form.