Only in Museum #14

Italy is full of artistic treasures – old and new. One sculptor from the 19th century was Pietro Canonica.

Many people who go to Rome, have the Borghese Gallery on their list of places to see. But if you walk around in the huge gardens of the Villa Borghese (free entry), you will find the museum of Pietro Canonica, in the same place – Fortezzuola (little fort) – where he lived and worked from 1922 till his death in 1959.

Pietro Canonica was born in Moncalier in 1869. He made a name for himself among the aristocracy and was in demand among the courts of Europe.

From Buckingham Palace to the Court of the Tsar, countless aristocrats had their likenesses captured in marble.

The museum collection consists primarily of works by Pietro Canonica: marbles, bronzes and original models, as well as a large number of sketches, studies and replicas. It’s amazing to see the length and breadth of his work. And he was in addition a painter and a musician as well!

The Abyss

This sculpture is depicting the two lovers embracing each other at the edge of an abyss. The abyss is a metaphor for love which is attracting them but also terrifying them with its unpredictable consequences. The lovers are Paolo and Francesca from Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Would be great if you would join the “Only in Museum” series by posting something you found catching your eye in one of your visits to the museum. Then create a pingback to this post by including the link to my post in yours. You can also give the link to your post in the comments section below. Also, tagging the post with “Only in Museum” and “OiM” would help all readers find these posts easily.

Also submitting for Cellpic Sunday.