Museo Gypsotheca Antonio Canova, Casa natale, 2010, Possagno (TV), ph Lino Zanesco
Have you ever wanted to fully immerse yourself in the art of Antonio Canova, the undisputed master of Neoclassicism? As of 1 December 2024, the Museo Gypsotheca Antonio Canova in Possagno (TV) has returned to new splendour, offering visitors a unique experience. After seven years of restoration and seismic improvement work, the 19th-century wing has finally reopened to the public, restoring Possagno to its role as custodian of an unparalleled artistic heritage.
THE 19TH-CENTURY WING OF THE GYPSOTHECA CANOVA MUSEUM
Paolina Borghese Bonaparte come Venere vincitrice, 2019, ph Lino Zanesco
A Restoration that Enhances the Gypsotheca
The work, financed by the Culture Fund of the Ministry of Culture and promoted by the Municipality of Possagno, involved the structural consolidation and seismic improvement of the bays of the historic 19th-century wing, designed by architect Francesco Lazzari between 1831 and 1836. This intervention was not limited to safety: an innovative lighting system enhances every detail of Canova’s plaster models, masterpieces that today enrich the world’s most important museums.
In parallel, an ambitious digitisation project of the museum complex was completed. Thanks to advanced technologies, it is now possible to explore the Gypsotheca through a virtual tour, making Canova’s art accessible also to those who cannot physically visit the museum.
Masterpieces Recounting the Greatness of Canova
With the reopening of the 19th century wing, some of Canova’s most famous plaster models are once again on display. These are the plaster models that Canova used to create great masterpieces that are now exhibited in the world’s most important museums. Prominent among them are:
- Napoleon as Mars the Peacemaker ( 1806): an imposing statue, over three metres high, idealising Napoleon in the guise of the Greek god Mars, symbol of peace and power.
- Hercules and Lica (1795-1796): an extraordinary work that captures the energy and dramatic tension of Hercules as he hurls Lica, expressing power and despair.
- The Graces (1813): a hymn to beauty and harmony, a masterpiece in demand by important historical figures and now in several replicas in major European museums.
- Cupid and Psyche ( 1800): a universal symbol of eternal love, this sculpture tells the poignant story between the god Love and the mortal Psyche.
A Museum Reborn in Completeness
The Gypsotheca Museum complex is a unique cultural jewel. It comprises the artist’s birth house, which houses Antonio Canova’s paintings, drawings and personal objects; the Gypsotheca, the largest in Europe, with its two main wings designed by Lazzari and Carlo Scarpa; the Gemin Wing; the library and the park.
The Museum’s director, Moira Mascotto, emphasised that this reopening represents a milestone for the conservation and enhancement of Neoclassicism. The interventions carried out have brought to light a heritage of inestimable value, allowing visitors to enjoy an immersive experience among the works of one of the greatest sculptors of all time.
Museo Gypsotheca Antonio Canova, Ala Ottocentesca, 2010, Possagno (TV), ph Lino Zanesco
Visit the Gypsotheca Antonio Canova Museum
If you love art and history, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit the Museo Gypsotheca Antonio Canova.
Thanks to the reopening of the 19th-century wing, you can admire the complete collection of neoclassical masterpieces and discover the immortal legacy of the genius from Possagno. Book your visit and be enchanted by the timeless beauty of Antonio Canova.