Damoxenos

Antonio created this art in 1796 after his work was commissioned by Pope Julius the second. Antonio's work is stored in the Vatican Museum in Vatican City and has been replicated in many places all over the world, including the Olympic Club, which is America's biggest and most popular athletic club.

Antonio was inspired by ancient Greek fighting. According to ancient Greece, the only hits that determined the winner was blown to the head. Any other hit was disqualified. The other rule was that if both wrestlers were of equal size, they were required to hit each other at the same time so that they can draw. Antonio was inspired by the history of these people and sought out to create a masterpiece. Antonio Canova used marble stone to sculpt the statue because marble can bring the stone to life. The almost 7 feet statues tower over anyone and everyone. He had curved Damoxenos to look brutal and intimidating as he fought against this opponent. Damoxenos had a tough demeanor, nothing short of scary. Antonio had the sculptor look very fit with bulging muscles and abs. Damoxenos opponent was also evenly sized with him, still going back to Greek History.

Both of these statues have been replicated in many places around the world, especially sporting venues, to exhibit power and strength. Both these sculptors were ready to battle. They were sculpted in the process of making their blows, and that adds to the element of the action that comes with wrestling. Antonio Canova was motivated by the models from ancient times. In the Greek books, the judges ruled that both Damoxenos and his opponent Kreugus were of even strength and size and therefore were to battle the old fashioned way. They were to hit each other at the same time, and the one to fall was declared the winner. History shows that Kregus hit first, and Damoxenos followed. Kregus hit Damoxenos's head while Damoxenos Antonio's stomach, punching a hole, showed his intestines out because of the shear strength of the two.

Damoxenos did not play by the books, and therefore, the title was given to Kregus even though the hit he suffered cost him his life. Antonio's work showed his mastery of curving. He paid attention to every detail as he showcased the emotion of each sculpture. He also explained the strength these two statues had by making them almost 7 feet tall, overlooking everyone. The figures were also very firmly built and ready for action.