Hebe

Though Canova got his inspiration from ancient sculpture, he created a type of female beauty which, precisely because it was derived somewhat freely from classical sources, was more in key with contemporary aspirations. This new style of beauty appeared in the Psyche, Hebe, Dancers and Venus series.

In this statue, the buoyant figure appears to be advancing towards us with a light, dancing step; the drapery, leaving the torso bare, tucked back in little waves above the belt, and billowing out in the back, suggests the refinement and preciousness of Hellenistic art, as do the gilded details which ornament the figure.