Dance of the Sons of Alcynous

This is one of the scenes representing episodes in epic poetry, for which Canova drew his inspiration from Cesarotti’s translations of Homer’s works. Here, the sculptor completely foregoes narration, eliminating all decorative elements and focusing entirely on tersely rendering the event, with the intention of representing the classical spirit that is the well-spring of his art. The episode is taken from Canto VIII of the Odyssey, and gives the sculptor the opportunity to interpret a typically Neoclassical subject, the dance, drawing inspiration from Pompeian models. The bas-relief was reproduced in an engraving by Tommaso Piroli (engraver) and Vincenzo Camuccini (draughtsman): copperplate etching retouched with burin; 241 x 440 mm.