NEW YORK, MAY 22, 2018 -The “Canova’s George Washington” exhibition will open its doors to the public from 23 May to 23 September 2018 at the prestigious Frick Collection in New York.
The Frick Collection has chosen to recount the relationship between the famous sculptor of Possagno, Treviso and the United States through an exhibition of great historical as well as artistic significance.
On 200th anniversary of the realization in 1818 of the statue representing George Washington the First President of the United States by Canova, the New York Museum will host the original cast together with some preparatory sketches, drawings and engravings. The ensuing statue from the mold was destroyed in 1831 following a fire. The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Gipsoteca and Museo Canova, will be in display in Possagno from November 10, 2018 to April 22, 2019.
The Italian Ambassador to the United States, Armando Varricchio, attended the inauguration on May 21, 2018 with Ian Wardropper, Director of the Frick Collection, Xavier Salomon, Chief Curator, and Mario Guderzo, Director of the Gipsoteca and Museo Canova. During his speech, the Ambassador recalled how the “history of Canova’s statue contains not only elements of Italian artistic history but also a reference to the depth of the cultural relationship that ties our country to the USA”
Deep and solid ties that continue to grow thanks to the contribution of personalities such as Chief Curator Salomon. On this occasion Xavier Salomon was awarded the rank of Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy by Ambassador Varricchio, on behalf of the President of the Republic, for his contribution to increasing the appreciation of the Italian artistic heritage. Additionally in these days in New York, the Consulate General of Italy will host a photographic exhibition on works by Canova by Fabio Zonta. The Italian Institute of Culture will also hold an exhibition of 16 tempera paintings by Canova, entitled “Canova and Dance “.
