Antonio Canova, Letizia Remolino Bonaparte, Capodimonte Museum in Naples, Italy

Antonio Canova “Letizia Remolino Bonaparte”

Sculpture - Plaster (Height 66 cm) 1808

Canova, Letizia Remolino This plaster sculpture, the work of Canova, depicts Letizia Remolino, the mother of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The original marble version is in England, whilst the copy on display at the Capodimonte Museum in Naples was purchased by the Italian Minister of the Interior at Canova’s request so that it could be exhibited at the Royal Museum of Naples.

But the return of the Bourbons to the throne of Naples brought an end to Murat’s reign, with the immediate effect of this sculpture depicting Napoleon’s mother being relegated to the storerooms.

It was not until 1896 that this sculpture was put on display again before being transferred to the Capodimonte Museum in 1957.

Canova, Letizia Remolino Napoleon’s mother is depicted sitting comfortably on a thick cushion placed on a chair with a wide, curved backrest.

She turns her head and looks to the left, with her upper body slightly twisted to follow her left arm, which is elegantly resting on the back of the chair in a serene and majestic pose, her feet, clad in light sandals, resting on a footrest with lion’s paws.

She smiles and still looks young for her 58 years at the time the portrait was painted.

She is depicted in Canova’s usual style, inspired by the female figures of ancient Greece.

Canova, Letizia Remolino