Antonio Canova's famous lions at St. Peter's

Antonio Canova (1757-1822), was Champion of the Italian Neoclassical, At St. Peter’s he made in the upper right aisle, in the Ambulatory of Michelangelo, the famous tomb of Clement XIII Rezzonico (1758-1769). Canova was the supreme voice of the Italian neoclassicists.He shed the melodramatics of the baroque while retaining its emotion and movement, adopting classicism without the frigidity that usually came with it.He was the master of marble in the tradition of Donatello, Michelangelo, and Bernini.

The base marble of the tomb is Lumachella, the lions are of travertine, the pope and allegories in Carrara marble. The pope was famous for the richness of his vestments, and Canova does not disappoint here.The Angel of Death upturns the torch of life for the pope. The lions were copied from those found in the Royal Palace of Caserta.The roaring one represents Strength Always Awake, while the sleeping one represents Meekness That Moderates Strength.