Then he came up to London, and found employment as a journeyman carver; he proceeded to paint portraits and model busts, and at length worked his way to the first position as a sculptor.
Canova was a stone-cutter, like his father and his grandfather; and through stone-cutting he worked his way to sculpture.

After leaving the quarry, he went to Venice, and gave his services to an artist, from whom he received but little recompense for his work.

"I laboured," said he, "for a mere pittance, but it was sufficient.

It was the fruit of my own resolution; and, as I then flattered myself, the foretaste of more honourable rewards,--for I never thought of wealth." He pursued his studies,--in drawing and modelling; in languages, poetry, history, antiquity, and the Greek and Roman classics.

A long time elapsed before his talents were recognised, and then he suddenly became famous.
Lough, the English sculptor, is another instance of self-denial and hard work.