Antonio Canova 1757-1822

This book covers the life of the Italian neo-classical sculptor Antonio Canova (1757-1822), some of his works and the lives of two of his contemporaries: John Gibson RA (1790-1866), known as the ‘British Canova’, and the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844). Both Gibson and Thorvaldsen lived and worked in Rome under the influence and in the shadow of Canova. All three sculptors helped and guided each other. Gibson was under considerable pressure to return to London, which he resisted, while Thorvaldsen returned to his homeland on several occasions and was greeted as a celebrity. The book aims to rectify the dearth of information in English on Canova and updates the information available on Gibson and Thorvaldsen in this bicentenary year of the death of Antonio Canova.

Ian Andrews is an art historian and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He was awarded his Master’s degree in 2018. He grew up in London, attended Alleyn’s School and moved to Buckinghamshire, when he married his wife. He was very much involved with local politics and became the head of welfare for a national charity.

During this time he attended weekend courses on the Italian Renaissance at Madingley Hall, part of Cambridge University. He continued his studies at Birkbeck College, London University and upon moving to Dorset with his wife, became a Town clerk. He continued his studies with the Open University.

Ian Andrews is married and has one daughter.