The Kiss by Francesco Hayez

Francesco Hayez, the greatest exponent of Italian Romanticism, was born in Venice in 1791 to a poor family of fishermen who soon, given the precarious family situation, decided to entrust him to Milan's uncles. This decision, albeit painful, determined the fortune of little Francesco since, it was the Milanese uncle, who understood and increased the talent of his nephew. Once an adult, Hayez left Milan for Rome, where he met and made a strong friendship with Antonio Canova, who often supported him and encouraged him throughout his career. He died in Milan in 1882.

THE KISS BY FRANCESCO HAYEZ:

The Kiss, currently kept in the Brera art gallery, was commissioned by Alfonso Visconti. The scene, full of pathos, is set within the walls of a medieval castle and portrays two young lovers in the act of what could (perhaps) be their last fleeting and passionate kiss.

The young man, whose face is almost entirely covered, is ready to go (you can notice the stretched leg and the foot already resting on the first step) but, despite this, he holds firmly in his hands the face of the girl who, illuminated by the light and with the splendid but simple blue dress, it is completely abandoned to the young and the moment.

To be precise, there are three versions of this picture. In the first and official one, made in 1859, the woman wears the blue dress, while the young man's suit is characterized by green and red; the colors of the Italian and French flag, united by an alliance. In the second, made in 1861, the woman's dress is white and that of the young man remains red and green, the three colors of the Italian flag. In the third and last version of 1867, the colors of the young man's dress remain the same, while the woman's dress is again blue but, next to their feet, there is a white veil on the ground.

by Giulia Rizzollo

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The Veneto Region, nestled in the north-east of Italy, is a mix of history and traditions and, all of it, is enriched by the liveliness of its inhabitants and by a wide range of typical products all to be savored. From the highest peaks of the Dolomites, he embraces and welcomes each visitor with brotherly warmth, accommodating him among the many lounges of his cities of art, giving him unforgettable emotions. Turning between the pages of this site, you can organize your next holidays in the Veneto region and thanks to the many photos published, everything will be very simple.