White Drawing Room

Highlight objects at Buckingham Palace

Learn more about the decorative arts on display at Buckingham Palace this summer

ANTONIO CANOVA (1757-1822)

Mars and Venus

1815-19

Marble | 208.0 x 137.0 x 65.5 cm (whole object) | RCIN 2038

This magnificent full-length sculpture of the Roman gods Mars and Venus was carved from a single marble block. It represents an allegory of War and Peace after England's victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The sculpture was commissioned by the Prince Regent that year for Carlton House during the sculptor Canova's visit to London to see the Elgin Marbles.

    Quick Links

    Official Royal Residences

    Royal Collection Trust is a charity caring for the Royal Collection, one of the world’s great art collections. Income from your visit helps us to conserve and share the Collection so that it can be enjoyed by everyone, wherever they are.