Pauline Borghese Bonaparte als Venus Victrix
The plunging folds of the sitter’s gown make the back of this sculpture of Pauline Bonaparte almost more alluring than the front. Because of this, Pope Leo XII ordered that her nudity be covered with additional drapery in the second state of this print in 1827. Canova dedicated both prints to the politician and art collector John Campbell, 1st Lord Cawdor, an important patron at the beginning of his career.