Description

Antonio Canova (1757–1822) was an Italian Neoclassical sculptor, famous for his marble sculptures. Often regarded as the greatest of the Neoclassical artists, his sculpture was inspired by the Baroque and the classical revival and has been characterised as having avoided the melodramatics of the former, and the cold artificiality of the latter.

Artist: Maria Carmela Colaneri

Obverse

Depicts the portrait of Antonio Canova on the left with the Tempio Canoviano as the background. The portrait and the temple are partially within a beaded circle with a legend outside. The engraver's name below.

The Tempio Canoviano or Temple of Canova is a Roman Catholic parish church built in a severe Neoclassical style, based on the designs of Antonio Canova. It is located on a hilltop in Possagno in the Province of Treviso in the region of Veneto, Italy.

REPUBBLICA ITALIANA
COLANERI

Reverse

In the centre, Canova's "Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss", framed with elements typical of the artist; on top, the mintmark “R”; on the left and on the right, “1757” and “2007”; below, the coin's value “10 EURO”; around “ANTONIO CANOVA”.

"Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss" (Italian: Amore e Psiche) is a sculpture by Italian artist Antonio Canova first commissioned in 1787 by Colonel John Campbell. It is regarded as a masterpiece of Neoclassical sculpture, but shows the mythological lovers at a moment of great emotion, characteristic of the emerging movement of Romanticism. It represents the god Cupid in the height of love and tenderness, immediately after awakening the lifeless Psyche with a kiss. The story of Cupid and Psyche is taken from Lucius Apuleius' Latin novel The Golden Ass, and was popular in art.

ANTONIO CANOVA
10 EURO R
1757 2007

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 22 g
Diameter 34 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute (IPZS)

Related coins

Republic, The Three Graces

250th Anniversary of Birth of Antonio Canova

Silver Plated Cupronickel, 23.5 g, ⌀ 39 mm
Republic, Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss

250th Anniversary of Birth of Antonio Canova

Silver Plated Cupronickel, 23.5 g, ⌀ 39 mm