Hayez's 'Last Kiss' Turns 200: Villa Carlotta Celebrates
Francesco Hayez's painting 'L’ultimo bacio dato a Giulietta da Romeo' (The Last Kiss Given to Juliet by Romeo) celebrates its 200th anniversary. The work, commissioned by collector Giovanni Battista Sommariva, was first exhibited in 1823 at the Pinacoteca di Brera. It depicts the Shakespearean lovers and is considered a manifesto of Romantic sensibility. Villa Carlotta on Lake Como, where the painting is housed, is holding a week of events from September 11 to 17, 2023, including guided tours, interactive readings for children, and nightly projections of the painting on the villa's facade. Visitors are encouraged to share photos on social media with hashtags #villacarlotta #bacio200 #lastkiss #ultimobacio. Hayez later revisited the theme in three other paintings (1825, twice in 1830) and the famous 'Bacio' series from 1859.
Key facts
- Francesco Hayez's 'L’ultimo bacio dato a Giulietta da Romeo' was painted in 1823.
- The painting was commissioned by collector Giovanni Battista Sommariva.
- It was first exhibited in 1823 at the Pinacoteca di Brera.
- The work is housed at Villa Carlotta on Lake Como.
- Villa Carlotta celebrates the 200th anniversary from September 11 to 17, 2023.
- Events include guided tours, interactive readings for children, and nightly projections.
- Hayez created three other versions of the theme in 1825 and 1830.
- The artist later painted the famous 'Bacio' series starting in 1859.
Entities
Artists
- Francesco Hayez
Institutions
- Pinacoteca di Brera
- Villa Carlotta
Locations
- Lake Como
- Italy