The Italian Kiss

This painting, alluding to love in a unified Italy, embodies the sentiment Francis Hayez seeks to capture in this work; one of three versions the italian painter would create at different stages of the conflict, the end of which would ufinify Italy.

Wearing medieval period clothing, he wears a hat - a warrior's or peasant's? The Azzurri of her dress, representing Italy, could place them in any province, depicting everyday life. It is a scene that could represent any couple in love, but the nuances of symbolism lead us to reflect on a medieval political backdrop.

It signifies the unification of two countries historically in constant conflict, united under Napoleon's rule, by the italian unification or ''Risorimento''.

In the anteroom of a house or entryway. It invites us to go up the stairs and into the room, to enter the house, leaving us only to imagine what will happen next. In the dim light, a maid descends another flight of staris to leave them alone in their passion. They stand out clearly against the amber/ivory brick wall, very typical of limestone constructions.

A ray of light enters the scene, illuminating the lady's dress and creating shadows that reflect the union of these two individuals, who seem to care for nothing in this world but their passionate and blissfull love.

The tenderness with which the gentleman takes her lady and wipes her face with his hand, demonstrates not only the tenderness the man feels for her Donna, but also the detail of the faces in which the moment is captured.

It makes us dream of an eternal love, a lasting, unbreakable love which, when we think about its background, would give us the admirers a security and confidence of an alliance so strong that goes through every challenge and endured over time.