Canova himself made the design
and model for this monument
in 1794 to dedicate it to
Titian, but the sum necessary
for its
construction could not be
raised and when the Master
died in
1822 the work was still a
project. Canova was taken
to his
birthplace at Possagno, but
the Accademia di Belle Arti
of
Venice wished a monument to
be built to preserve the porphyry
urn containing the artist's
heart, and the work was carried
out
by six of his disciples and
completed in 1827.
The mausoleum is a simple
yet imposing pyramid in marble
which makes a perfect background
for the standing scene we
must focus: the funeral procession
of allegoric female figures
representing the best companions
of the artist in life.
The advancing figure before
the open door of the pyramid
is
Sculpture Weeping, followed
by Painting and Architecture
accompanied by three little
genii with lit torches to
symbolize
that art never dies.
On the left are the genius
of Canova in the shape of
a handsome angel sitting tired
on the steps with his torch
extinguished, and a dismayed
lion of Venice. Above the
door two angels support the
effigy of the sculptor framed
by the snake, symbol of immortality.
However cold it may appear
as compared to the mood of
the basilica, this evocative
work is one of the most characteristic
Neo-Classical monuments worth
seeing.
