The Innocence

With the group "Daedalus attaching his wings to Icarus", Innocenzo Fraccaroli (1805-1882) won the competition announced by the Brera Academy in 1829; this recognition earned him a five-year internship in Rome. During his stay in Rome, he made the sculpture "The Innocence", which was converted into marble in 1835 and purchased by Count Erbisti at S. Dionigi near Parona all'Adige. A scantily clad maiden clutches a serpent to her breast. In the sweet figure of the adolescent and in the elegant drapery one can discern, in addition to the reference to ancient statuary, the suggestion influenced by the example of Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen. In some of the details, including the floral elements decorating the trunk on which the figure rests, one can discern solutions cherished by Gaetano Cignaroli and Federico Zandomeneghi, Fraccaroli's master at the Accademia in Venice.