Reclining Naiad at The Museum of Fine Art in Washington DC, USA

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The Reclining Naiad sculpture showcases a nude nymph lying on the pelt of a massive panther draped over a rocky, bed-like formation; she gazes back along her body's length, a subtle smile playing on her lovely face. Underneath her head, the animal's snout is depicted in a flowing cascade of rich, slow, and remarkably feline folds. Canova himself identified the reclining figure as a nymph, while his friend and biographer Leopoldo Cicognara referred to her as a naiad, which seems more precise. A naiad is a water nymph who inhabits lakes, rivers, springs, and fountains, and the fountain pouring forth water beside the rock here symbolizes her aquatic domain. It remains uncertain, however, exactly which minor deity from ancient times Canova may have been representing. This object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from around the globe for public access free of charge. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate.