He returns to his headquarters one of the most emblematic images of Italian Romanticism, let's talk about the painting of Hayez “The last kiss of Romeo and Juliet" exposed by'September 11 to September 17, 2023 a Villa Charlotte, not far from Lake Como.
F. Hayez: “The last kiss of Romeo and Juliet"
It is the title of the painting by Francesco Hayez, one of his masterpieces. It depicts the two unfortunate lovers who have entered history and the collective imagination as symbols of true love. The large canvas (measurement height: 219 cm; width: 201 cm) was commissioned by Giovanni Battista Sommariva in 1823. The painter depicts the moment of farewell of Romeo to Juliet at the first light of dawn after the night spent together. The young man with a rope at his beloved's window prepares to escape. From her door, we see the elderly nurse who warns the young people of the arrival of her mother. Romeo steals a last kiss from his beloved. The Tuscan landscape stands out with the tower and cypress trees, the stained glass windows, the architectural details with the beautifully decorated capitals. The contrast between the bright colors of Romeo's clothes and Juliet's white ones is notable. Note the clever play of light in the rendering of the drapery.
In 2015, the work was subjected to a complex analysis to identify the techniques used and the pigments used and is often moved for the setting up of important exhibitions on the painter and the cultural climate.
Hayez's work preserved for 200 years at Villa Carlotta
The work caused scandal for the brazenness of the subjects but was praised by critics as one of the painter's masterpieces. It has been kept for two hundred years inside the historic residence in Tremezzina. Villa Charlotte it is a beautiful and evocative residence overlooking the Lake Como, in the Tremezzo area, now used as a museum and location for cultural events.
The painting was admired by more than 182.000 people at the exhibition held at Galleries of Italy Piazza alla Scala, in Milan.
The initiatives
From the 11 17 to September, Villa Carlotta organizes special guided tours, workshops for adults and children in order to raise awareness of the work. Furthermore, among the initiatives that stands out is the one which sees the façade of Villa Carlotta illuminated every evening with the projection of the image of the famous painting.
By clicking here you can find everything program of this event.
From Monday the painting will become one of the attractions of theCarrara Academy of Bergamo, displayed together with other works in the exhibition “My light is all in you. History painting and melodrama” open to visitors from 29 September 2023 to 14 January 2024.
A special occasion to enjoy great art.
