Theseus vanquishing the Centaur

The Theseus Vanquishing the Centaur group is considered by Quatremère Canova’s greatest work. “You must, dear friend, make this your greatest work of art. Abandon all the other works and quickly finish this work.” The hero’s knee is on the Centaur before delivering the final blow: “Theseus’ strong right arm holding the club is raised and there is no doubt whatsoever on the Centaur’s fate.”
Canova had to carry out several models and studies on Nature to efficiently and realistically portray the effort and contraction of the muscles of the Centaur. He also had a horse killed before him with a shot to his ear.