Sculpture, After Canova, Bambino Scrivente - 27 cm - Marble

Neoclassical marble sculpture “Child Writing” – after Antonio Canova – 19th century, circa 1830

Refined and evocative sculpture in white marble, dateable to the 19th century, presumably from the first half of the 1800s, depicting the famous subject of the “Child Writing,” drawn from a model linked to Antonio Canova’s production and iconography (1757-1822).

The little boy is shown completely absorbed in the act of writing on a tablet resting on his knees. The gathered pose, the bowed head, and the natural concentration of the face give the composition extraordinary delicacy and a sense of intimacy typically neoclassical.

The anatomical rendering of the infant’s body is particularly successful, treated with soft and harmonious surfaces, as is the modeling of the face and especially the finely carved hair, arranged in flowing and well-defined locks. The details of the hands and feet are also very beautiful, while the architectural base, conceived as a classical masonry or ruin, further enhances the composition.

On the tablet there is also the inscription “CANOVA,” an iconographic element frequently present in versions of the subject and clearly alluding to Canova. The “Child Writing” is indeed a well-known theme in neoclassical sculpture and was reproduced in numerous 19th-century derivatives from the Canova model.

The work presents a notable material presence, with a weight of about 3.05 kg, an element that contributes to the sense of solidity and quality of the whole.

Dimensions:
height 27 cm
width 11.5 cm
depth 13.5 cm
weight about 3.05 kg.

Overall condition is very good for its age. There is an old restoration to the right shoulder, carried out discreetly and with little invasiveness, today almost imperceptible in normal viewing of the sculpture. The restoration does not alter the balance of the composition nor compromise in any way the aesthetic appeal of the work. There are normal and coherent signs of time and slight surface marks compatible with the object's antiquity.

A sculpture of great decorative charm, particularly suitable also for a contemporary interior, where the whiteness of the marble and the purity of the neoclassical lines can create a refined contrast with modern furnishings. Perfect on a console, a substantial bookshelf, a desk, a column, or within a collection of 19th-century sculpture and Grand Tour-inspired objects.

Photos are an integral part of the description.
Packaging will be handled by Ankerior, specialized in packaging and handling of artworks, with training and certification at Palazzo Spinelli, Florence.