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Daedalus and Icarus

Daedalus and Icarus is one of Canova’s early sculptures, combining idealization and realism. Based on the myth of the escape from Crete, it shows the two figures with wax wings. The composition contrasts the elderly Daedalus, pushed forward and marked by senility, with the youthful Icarus, who represents ideal beauty and bends backward to balance the weight of both bodies. Placed symmetrically in opposite positions, the figures create a chiastic arrangement, with curved lines of force forming an X-like structure. Though each figure is unstable alone, the whole achieves balance through opposition and also creates a strong play of light and shadow. The sculpture is preserved at the Museo Correr in Venice.

Daedalus and Icarus marble sculpture by Antonio Canova, showing an older man fitting wings onto a younger man.
Antonio Canova’s Daedalus and Icarus marble sculpture, with the older figure attaching wings to the younger one.
December 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Daedalus and Icarus marble sculpture showing an older bearded man embracing a winged nude youth while fastening the wings with cords.
Antonio Canova’s Daedalus and Icarus in white marble, showing the two figures as they attach the wings.
November 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Daedalus and Icarus marble sculpture showing two standing male figures in an ornate gilded room.
Antonio Canova’s Daedalus and Icarus displayed in a richly decorated interior.
August 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Canova\'s Daedalus and Icarus sculpture in white marble, showing a younger winged figure beside an older bearded man.
Antonio Canova’s Daedalus and Icarus in white marble, with the younger figure shown beside the older bearded man.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0
Daedalus and Icarus marble sculpture detail showing an older man embracing a younger figure with feathered wings.
Detail of Antonio Canova’s Daedalus and Icarus marble sculpture.
August 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleDaedalus and Icarus
Original titleDédale et Icare
Italian titleDedalo e Icaro
Spanish titleDédalo e Ícaro
TypeSculptural group

Creator

ArtistAntonio Canova

Historical context

Date created1779
Early career statusOne of Canova's first sculptures and his first major work
Commissioned byPietro Vettor Pisani, nobleman and procurator of San Marco
Payment100 sequins
Public receptionExhibited and greatly admired by the Venetian public during the Feast of the Ascension
Significance of paymentAllowed Canova to cover the expenses of his intended study trip to Rome

Iconography and meaning

Narrative emphasisDaedalus is shown as reflecting on the test while trying to ensure its success and his son's safety
Depicted sceneDaedalus, the elderly father, fastens the first part of the wing while looking worriedly at Icarus, who smiles joyfully and excitedly at the adventure
SubjectDaedalus and Icarus escaping from Crete by making wax and feather wings to fly away

Physical characteristics

Height2.20 m

Materials

MaterialMarble
Original plaster modelPreserved at the Gipsoteca canoviana in Possagno

Style / artistic qualities

StyleCombines idealization and realism; still shows Baroque naturalism and movement
IdealizationSearch for ideal beauty in the composition
RealismRealistic anatomical details and details of objects; Daedalus is rendered with realistic face and body, while Icarus is idealized
CompositionSymmetrical chiastic composition with the figures placed in opposite positions around a central axis; curved lines of force form an X-like shape
BalanceThe figures are individually unstable but together achieve equilibrium through the distribution of weight
Light and shadowStrong contrast of light and shadow created by the two bodies
Figure of DaedalusThe elderly Daedalus leans forward and is characterized by senility in decline
Figure of IcarusThe young Icarus arches backward and represents ideal beauty

Location and ownership

Current locationMuseo Correr, Venice
Plaster model locationGipsoteca canoviana, Possagno

Significance

Historical significanceConsidered a major early success for the young Canova