Canova Lions, Bronze sculpture at Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., United States.
The Canova Lions stand at the entrance of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, cast in bronze from molds of the original marble sculptures. They guard the gateway and catch the eye of every visitor who approaches the building.
The bronze replicas were installed in 1860 and derive from Antonio Canova's marble lions of 1792, originally created for Pope Clement XIII's tomb in Saint Peter's Basilica. This connection to one of Italy's most celebrated sculptors gives the figures their deep artistic importance.
The lions display Italian neoclassical style and mark the entrance to one of the nation's oldest public art museums. They signal to visitors that they are about to enter a place dedicated to art and culture.
The lions are easy to locate at the gallery entrance, at the corner of 17th Street and New York Avenue. Visitors can see them anytime when entering or leaving the museum without needing to purchase a ticket.
The lions were purchased at an auction in 1888 for $1,900 and replaced the original gas lamps that marked the entrance. This shift from practical lights to artistic guardians shows how the location changed over time.
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