Antonio Canova
'Venus'
Italy
About 1817-20
Marble
Leeds Museums and Galleries, City Art Gallery

This figure by Canova, the most famous sculptor in Europe, was Hope's most celebrated modern sculpture. While visiting the artist's studio in Rome in 1817, Hope saw an uncompleted Venus and offered to buy it. Instead Canova carved a new statue for him, showing the goddess of love leaving her bath.