Arte curiosa #04: Hayez il bacio

Summary

This video explores Francesco Hayez's iconic painting *The Kiss*, highlighting its political and historical significance. While often seen as a passionate romantic piece, it is also a subtle message of resistance against Austrian rule in Italy. Through the use of color symbolism, Hayez conveys a message of hope and patriotism, aligning with France's support in Italy's struggle. The video delves into various versions of the painting, showing changes in color as Italy’s political landscape shifted, transforming *The Kiss* into a symbol of love, fight, and national unity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Kiss by Hayez, a romantic painting, is also a political statement related to Italy's struggle for independence.
• 😀 The colors in the painting symbolize the French and Italian flags, representing a message of resistance against Austrian oppression in Italy.
• 😀 The embrace in the painting depicts two lovers, one of whom is armed, possibly a fighter for his country.
• 😀 The dagger in plain sight signifies the danger and the fight for freedom, highlighting the political context of the artwork.
• 😀 The first version of the painting, from 1859, reflects the presence of Austrian forces in Italy, with a strong message of resistance and hope.
• 😀 The 1861 version of the painting shifts to a white dress for the woman, symbolizing the birth of the Kingdom of Italy, with no space for French symbols.
• 😀 By 1867, the French and Italian flags are fully visible in the painting, with the woman's dress returning to blue and the cloak turning green.
• 😀 The painting evolves over time, with each version reflecting significant historical and political changes in Italy.
• 😀 The Kiss by Hayez becomes a symbol of both love and the struggle for national freedom during Italy's unification.
• 😀 Other artists, such as Gerolamo Induno and Giuseppe Reina, referenced Hayez's painting, embedding its symbolism of love, freedom, and patriotism in their own works.

Q & A

What is the main theme of 'The Kiss' by Hayez?

'The Kiss' by Francesco Hayez is primarily a romantic work, but it also carries political symbolism, reflecting Italy's fight for independence from Austrian rule in the mid-19th century.

How are the colors in 'The Kiss' significant?

The colors in 'The Kiss' are not random. They symbolize the flags of Italy and France, representing the political climate of the time, including the hope for French support in the Italian fight against Austria.

What does the presence of a dagger in 'The Kiss' suggest?

The dagger in 'The Kiss' symbolizes the ongoing struggle and the imminent danger faced by the figures in the painting, reflecting the political tension of the time and the fight for freedom.

Why is the woman's dress significant in the 1861 version of the painting?

In the 1861 version, the woman’s dress changes from blue to white, symbolizing the birth of the Kingdom of Italy and a shift away from the French influence represented by the blue color.

How does Hayez’s 'The Kiss' reflect the historical context of 1859 Italy?

In 1859, Italy was still under Austrian rule, and Hayez used 'The Kiss' to send a message of resistance and hope, signaling that Italy had made an agreement with France for military support against the Austrians.

What role does the shadow in 'The Kiss' play in the narrative?

The shadow in the background of the painting is believed to represent the Austrian oppressor, lurking as a threat, thus reinforcing the political message of the painting.

How does the 1867 version of 'The Kiss' differ from previous versions?

The 1867 version of 'The Kiss' features the clear display of both the French and Italian flags through the colors of the characters' clothing, with a more explicit representation of Italian and French unity.

What does the kiss in Hayez’s painting symbolize beyond romance?

Beyond romance, the kiss symbolizes the union of love and the fight for the homeland, representing the struggle for freedom and national unity during the Italian unification period.

Who else incorporated 'The Kiss' into their work, and why?

Artists like Gerolamo Induno and Giuseppe Reina incorporated 'The Kiss' in their own works to symbolize love, loss, and the longing for freedom during the Italian unification, often in the context of women waiting for their loved ones involved in the fight.

What do the red jacket and green sewing box in Reina's work symbolize?

The red jacket and the green sewing box in Reina's work are symbolic of the Italian flag, further emphasizing the connection between love and the nationalistic struggle in the context of the Italian unification.