50 euro - 200th Anniversary of the death of Antonio Canova

The Vatican Mint dedicates the 50 euro gold coin to the 200th anniversary of the death of Antonio Canova. Born in Possagno in 1757, he is considered the most important proponent of neoclassical sculpture between the 18th and 19th centuries. On the obverse of the coin, on either side of the papal coat of arms, artist Gabriella Titotto features the two angels that Canova sculpted for the Stuart Monument. The reverse depicts the statue of Perseus Triumphant, sculpted by Canova in the late 1800s and placed in the Vatican Museums by Pope Pius VII. To the right of the statue we see Canova’s face in profile, reflecting the marble self-portrait sculpted in 1812 and located next to his funerary monument in Possagno. Laurel leaves and ribbons complete the coin design.