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Orfeo y Eurídice

Orfeo y Eurídice is a sculptural group of two independent but complementary statues by Antonio Canova, carved in Vicenza soft stone in 1775–1776. Standing 2.04 m high, it represents the artist’s principal early work. Inspired by the myth of Orpheus in Ovid’s Metamorphoses and Virgil’s Georgics, the figures show the tragic instant when Orpheus turns back as Eurydice begins to vanish into the darkness of Hades. An inscription along the bases includes verses from the two Latin poets. The work was made in Venice, where Canova carried out his first studies, and was intended for the entrance to the garden of the Falier family’s country house. It is now preserved in the Dance Hall of the Museo Correr in Venice.

Orfeo y Eurídice marble statues displayed on pedestals in a museum gallery
Orfeo y Eurídice by Antonio Canova displayed in the Museo Correr, Venice.
May 2022 © · CC BY 4.0
Orfeo y Eurídice marble statues facing each other in a museum room, with Eurydice reaching out and Orpheus holding a hand to his brow.
Antonio Canova’s Orfeo y Eurídice shown as two white marble figures displayed on separate pedestals in a museum interior.
August 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Canova\'s Orfeo y Eurídice sculpture with a nude woman looking upward and a nude man recoiling beside her.
Orfeo y Eurídice by Antonio Canova, shown in a bright museum room.
March 2015 © · CC0
Orfeo y Eurídice by Canova, two white marble statues on pink pedestals in a museum room
Orfeo y Eurídice by Antonio Canova, displayed on pink pedestals in the Museo Correr.
March 2015 © · CC0
Orfeo y Eurídice marble sculpture with Eurydice reaching upward and Orpheus covering his head.
Orfeo y Eurídice by Antonio Canova, shown in an indoor museum setting.
September 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleOrpheus and Eurydice
Alternative titleOrfeo ed Euridice
TypeSculptural group
Number of figuresTwo

Creator

ArtistAntonio Canova
Artist nationality/styleItalian Neoclassical sculptor
BirthPossagno, 1757

Historical context

Date of creation1775–1776
Place of creationVenice
Artist's studiesCanova completed his studies in Venice and Asolo
Intended locationTo decorate the entrance to the garden of the Venetian Falier family country house
ExhibitionExhibited at the Festa della Sensa in 1776
Early receptionIt brought Canova initial notoriety
SignificanceCanova's principal early work

Discovery and provenance

CopyA copy of the Orpheus statue dated 1777 is in the Hermitage Museum

Physical characteristics

Height2.04 m

Materials

MaterialVicenza stone
MaterialSoft Vicenza stone

Appearance

Relationship between figuresThe two figures are independent but complementary
InscriptionInscriptions on the bases quote verses from Ovid and Virgil; on Orpheus, "Omnis effusus labor" is written under his right foot, and on Eurydice, verse 494, "Quis et me miseram et te perdidit Orpheu," is written on her pedestal

Iconography and meaning

SubjectThe myth of Orpheus and Eurydice
Literary sourcesOvid's Metamorphoses and Virgil's Georgics
Depicted momentOrpheus, returning from Hades, turns around to see whether Eurydice is following him, and sees her for the last time as she begins to vanish and is forced to return to Hades
Orpheus expressionHe makes a desperate gesture as he sees Eurydice for the last time
Eurydice expressionShe shows consternation and reproach as she begins to fade into the darkness
Mythological contextEurydice is forced to return to Hades

Location and ownership

Current locationBallroom of the Museo Correr, Venice, Italy
Inventory referenceOrpheus: Correr Museum, inventory Cl. XXV n. 1072; Eurydice: Museo Correr