Portrait of Francesca Majnoni d’Intignano

Francesco Hayez
(1791-1882)
1829, Oil on canvas

Lady Francesca Majnoni d’Intignano of Acquafredda is portrayed in a long black slightly low-cut dress, with white veiled sleeves. On her head she wears a white and gold satin turban: it is a showy touch, and one which instantly attracts the observer’s attention. Francesco Hayez was one of the most important painters of Italian Romanticism.

He was a great portrait artist, compared with Ingres owing to his flawless technique, the sumptuous colours dense with exquisite reflections of light that lent a noble air to the paintings, and his ability to convey the expression and personality of the people he portrayed.