Indeed an astonishing story, thank you. Antonio Canova is one of our all time favorite artists and his admirable rendition of George Washington is as inspirational and moving and as the rest of his work. He was the perfect artist to be commissioned by Thomas Jefferson and the General Assembly of North Carolina. The idea to compare Washington to the Roman values of the Republican hero Cincinnatus, while depicting him in the pinnacle moment of drafting the farewell address to the nation is absolutely amazing. The character comparisons of patriotism, equitable ruling, humility in leading a simple life and forgoing riches as well as caring more for the good of the state than personal prestige are most admirable.

Thankfully, there is a marble copy in at the Capital in Raleigh accomplished by the Venetian Sculptor, Romano Vio, that was placed in 1970!

I hope to someday visit The Frick. Lovely treasures.

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Compare to Greenough’s statue based on Zeus.