The painting, originally held in the artist's private villas and subsequently by his heirs, Confidences was officially integrated into the permanent collection of the Galleria d’Arte Moderna at Palazzo Pitti in 1924 as part of the Banti Bequest, where it remains today under inventory number Cat. Generale 249.
Cristiano Banti’s Confidences (Confidenze) is a historical artpiece by him that is considered a hallmark in the contribution to the movement of Macchiaioli. Confidenze shows a transition from academic perfection to a light, atmospheric, realistic art style evolution. Further, Banti has used the technique of macchia, a patch or stop technique, where through colours the contrast is shown without the use of defined lines or boundaries as such. Also, the background rendition with the brushstroke holding an impressionistic effect is a later art style of Banti. Where due lack of details in the background makes audience focuses on the main figures and their emotional human connection. Here, Banti has rendered the classic depiction of 19th-century women with the use of a shorthand that conveys the intimacy as well as the class in the painting. Further, the attire reflects the Victorian era domesticity through the heavy, dark fabric, along with fine lace and patterns rendered by Banti. Beyond all this, the vertical canvas makes a strong emphasis on the figure shown standing upright, where she leans towards the seated one making a feel of companionship in the frame. Further, the one who is shown seated looking upwards also reflects the rapt attention in the composition. Overall, the composition forms a triangular effect with respect to the main characters of the painting, making it a strong, eye-catching artwork. This work by Banti reflects his strong interest in psychological realistic art practice. Confidenze is also considered a rendition of changing roles and perspectives of society in the new Italy. This work feels like a candid moment captured by Banti, which elevated the domestic interactions into a study of shades and light through which Banti bypasses the tradition of chiaroscuro to perceive reality in his work. So, ultimately, in this artwork, Banti has conveyed that the artist’s role in modern times needs to act as a precise observer of surroundings and human emotions delicately, in a candid form, to make it feel real to the eyes. Therefore, Cristiano Banti’s work remained a masterstroke for the experimentation in light that shows how it can be a source of connection among strangers and hence securing a place in Italian modernism with the touch of realism by Banti. So, lastly, Confidenze could be considered as the best example for the quiet yet shared moment of female intimacy as a subject for any artist as a weighted study.
When I look at this artwork, I feel a sense of familiarity. Of girlhood and the companionship one can find amongst each other, the trust and likeness they can share because they are trying to survive in a world that feels turned to be against them. It’s a sad reality, but having friends, who understand, feel and love each other through the tough times, makes the huge difference. The world needs more such moments of confidence and trust that comes with that.
