Born in Italy in 1820, Domenico Canova, was the great nephew of the famous Italian Sculptor of the late 18th and early 19th century, Antonio Canova.
Domenico
Canova spent many productive years in New Orleans. His varied artistic talents
brought him commissions for Banks, Hotels, Churches, and the residences of
wealthy New Orleanians who desired to have his imaginative, sensitive, and
colorful creations add beauty to their walls and ceilings. Twenty works of art
attributed to him were created for various buildings in New Orleans during the
years of 1838 to 1868. Only 9 still exist. Demolitions have destroyed 14.
The frescoed ceiling that you see above was created in St.
Alphonsus.Church in 1866. It is the only
fresco by canova available for public viewing in New Orleans.
The only other frescoes by Canova in the area are walls at Whitney Plantation at Fifty Mile Point, Louisiana. However, there are wall and ceiling paintings at San Francisco Plantation, Garyville, Louisiana, that are also the work of Canova.
The Canova Society is a committee of the Friends of St. Alphonsus that was formed to raise funds to preserve and restore the treasures of the historic church of St. Alphonsus: the Canova frescoes,the beautiful Stained Glass Windows, and the impressive architecture of the building itself.
Groups whose members are interested in assisting in the restoration of St. Alphonsus Church, now an Art and Cultural Center, and wish to schedule a presentation describing the history of Domenico Canova in New Orleans may call the co-chairs of the Canova Society, Diana and John Parham, at 504-569-1191 to schedule a date. The presentation includes the screening of a 10 minute video on Canova and his work in the area.