Antonio Canova (1757–1822)
Study for George Washington, 1817
Graphite on paper
3 1/8 x 4 in. (80 x 100 mm)
Museo Civico, Bassano del Grappa
Su gentile concessione MBA Musei Biblioteca Archivio di Bassano del Grappa
Alongside three-dimensional sketches, Canova also produced drawings in preparation for the Washington sculpture. After his death, many of the drawings were collected in a series of albums. This small drawing shows a first idea for the statue. The figure is draped and seated on a low stool, while presenting a tablet. It was probably produced after the primo pensiero was modeled.