Primo Pensiero for George Washington

Canova’s work on the George Washington began with three-dimensional sketches in terracotta. This is likely to be his primo pensiero (first thought) for the sculpture — a working tool, with clay added quickly as the artist was developing ideas for the composition and iconography. Here, Washington appears seated, at his side a cornucopia that indicates the prosperity of the United States. It is possible to see pencil marks on his torso and shoulders, as well as several fingerprints in the clay.