A modern-day admirer of Antonio Canova, sculptor Fred X Brownstein recently recreated the 18th-century artist's "Venus" using Canova's original process and techniques. In this video, Brownstein first creates a clay sketch before casting a full-scale model in plaster. Then, after translating the plaster cast to marble, Brownstein fine tunes the sculpture's delicate features to polished perfection, Canova’s specialty.

This video was created in support of "Canova: Sketching in Clay," the first exhibition to focus on the Italian sculptor's lesser-known but unforgettable work in clay.

See "Canova: Sketching in Clay" at the Art Institute of Chicago, Nov 19, 2023–Mar 18, 2024.