Kisses have long been a powerful motif in art. Throughout history, artists have returned to the theme of the kiss, each time offering their unique interpretation. Auguste Rodin immortalized the tragic lovers Paolo and Francesca from Dante’s Divine Comedy in his iconic sculpture The Kiss. Gustav Klimt captured the ecstatic embrace of lovers in a moment of unity in his famous painting, which has become a symbol of romantic love. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec portrayed a tender kiss between lovers entwined in white sheets (very French, very bohemian).
Meanwhile, Munich’s take shed light on darker aspects of love, connecting to fears and the cycle of life-death. René Magritte offered a surrealistic take (what else), depicting a man and woman kissing with their faces shrouded by cloth, which can be interpreted as representations of isolation, incommunicability or hidden emotions. Chagall kisses his wife in L’anniversaire, while flying through the air lightheartedly. In a more modern twist, artist Robert L. Marsh captured the controversial self-love of Kanye West in his piece showing the controversial musician kissing his own reflection.
Amid these mixed representations, one painting remains particularly influential—The Kiss by Francesco Hayez. Created in 1859, his masterpiece does not only showcase a romantic moment between lovers, it also serves as a subtle but powerful political statement. What makes this one of the most mysterious, impactful and contextually rich paintings ever? Let’s see!
Hayez and the Risorgimento
Francesco Hayez’s The Kiss is a quintessential example of Italian Romanticism, where personal emotion meets political allegory. Painted during a time of great upheaval, the work reflects the hopes and aspirations of a nation on the brink of unification. The Risorgimento, a 19th-century movement aimed at consolidating the fragmented states of the Italian Peninsula into a single nation, provides the backdrop for this painting.
After the defeat of Napoleonic France, the 1815 Congress of Vienna left Italy divided into several states, many of which were controlled by the Austrian Empire. The struggle for unification gained momentum, culminating in the secret alliance between Napoleon III of France and Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, in 1859. This alliance led to the defeat of Austrian forces in Lombardy-Venetia, paving the way for the unification of Italy, which was officially declared in 1861.
The Kiss was commissioned by Count Alfonso Maria Visconti di Saliceto (the Viscontis ruled Milan at the time, but we will talk about this later) and was presented at the Pinacoteca di Brera on September 9, 1859, where it immediately raised eyebrows.
Blue, Red, White and.. Is That A Stalker In The Background?
At first glance, The Kiss appears to be a simple portrayal of a medieval couple locked in a passion-fuelled embrace. However, Hayez masterfully incorporated layers of symbolism within the painting, allowing him to send political messages while avoiding censorship. The male figure, dressed in green and red, represents the colors of the Italian flag, while the woman’s blue and white garments, juxtaposed with the man’s red tights, echo the colors of the French flag. Bravo, eh? This subtle color scheme alludes to the new, crucial alliance between Italy and France.
The couple’s embrace is tender yet charged with urgency. The man’s foot rests on a step, as if he is about to leave, hinting at the imminent danger faced by Italian patriots. If we look closely, the dagger hidden in his cloak highlights the fleeting, dangerous nature of their love in the rebellious era. In the shadowy archway to the left, a barely visible figure watches the couple, adding an element of suspense and emphasizing the secretive nature of their relationship. Why cannot help but think: I bet Alfred Hitchcock loved this painting?
Anyways, Hayez’s attention to detail is evident in the costumes worn by the couple, which were inspired by 16th-century Venetian fashion. Hayez, who came from a poor Venetian family, drew upon his knowledge of historical garments to create an authentic representation. At the Brera, visitors can touch a fabric similar to the blue dress worn by the woman in the painting, revealing its surprisingly heavy material. If for one reason or another you had to run in a dress like that, best of luck, girl!
The painting’s impact was immediate and profound. The poet Francesco Dall’Ongaro described it as “a touching scene, imbued with mystery and affection… from this fond kiss we hope to see the start of a new generation which will be robust, sincere, and which will take life as it comes, and that will fill it with the love for beauty and truth.”
The Visconti Legacy and Senso
The influence of The Kiss extended beyond the realm of fine art, inspiring artists across various mediums. Among them was the renowned Italian stage and film director Luchino Visconti, a descendant of THAT Visconti family. The Viscontis, who commissioned The Kiss, were one of the most powerful noble families in Milan during the Middle Ages. They ruled the city from 1277 to 1447, first as Lords and later, under Gian Galeazzo Visconti, as Dukes. Their reign was marked by attempts to unify Northern Italy and Tuscany, but it came to an end with the death of Filippo Maria Visconti in 1447. The notorious Sforza family succeeded the Visconti, continuing to rule Milan until 1535.
In 1954, Visconti drew inspiration from The Kiss for a pivotal scene in his film Senso. Set during the Third Italian War of Independence, the film tells the story of Livia Serpieri, an Italian countess who has an affair with an Austrian lieutenant, played by Farley Granger. The title Senso, meaning “sense,” “feeling,” or “lust” in Italian, reflects the countess’s internal conflict as she grapples with her passionate feelings for the enemy soldier.
Visconti’s film marked his first foray into color cinema and was a departure from his earlier work in neorealism. Known for his neorealist masterpieces and sweeping epics that explore themes of beauty, decadence, and European history, Visconti’s films, such as The Leopard and Death in Venice, have left a lasting legacy in the world of cinema. Influential directors like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese have cited Visconti as a major influence on their work.
The Induno Connection
The legacy of Hayez’s The Kiss also found expression in the works of Gerolamo Induno, a painter known for his genre scenes that often focused on patriotic themes. In his painting Sadness (1862), Induno pays direct homage to The Kiss by including it in the background of the scene. It hangs on the wall behind a young woman who gazes wistfully at a portrait of her beloved, a patriot fighting in the wars. This subtle inclusion echoes the sentimental and patriotic undertones of Hayez’s masterpiece, highlighting its impact on the Italian consciousness. The details of the painting, the tangible melancholy in the otherwise sunlit room, makes Sadness unsettling yet magical. It gives visitors a similar vibe to The Pleasure of Sadness, the Edward Hopper exhibit of Tate Modern.
In another work, A Great Sacrifice, Induno again draws inspiration from Hayez’s The Kiss, this time portraying a mother bidding farewell to her son as he prepares to fight for Garibaldi. The painting, created a year after The Kiss was exhibited, reflects the deep emotional and familial ties that were central to the common ideals of the time. Both Induno and his brother Domenico were devoted supporters of Garibaldi, and their art often celebrated the sacrifices made by ordinary Italians in the struggle for unification.
Interestingly, The Kiss itself was inspired by non-other than English folklore, specifically the tales of Robin Hood and balladeers of the 13th century. Robin Hood (most famously portrayed by a fox…and Russell Crowe), the champion of the oppressed, and his beloved Marian were seen as symbols of national redemption and heroism, themes that resonated deeply with Italian audiences.
All in all, Francesco Hayez’s The Kiss is more than what first meets the eye. It is a complex work of art that encapsulates the hopes, fears, and aspirations of a nation on the verge of unification and survival. Whether viewed as a symbol of patriotic fervor, a tender expression of love, or a subtle act of defiance, The Kiss remains one of the most iconic and influential paintings in the history of Western art.
Acknowledgement: My sincere thanks to the Pinacoteca di Brera for providing me with a researcher-writer pass and for their invaluable assistance in answering my questions. Your support greatly enriched this research.
~ by Dora Endre ~
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