La Meditazione, or Meditation, by Francesco Hayez, was commissioned by Giacomo Franco in 1851 and represents one of Hayez’s most politically charged works. The artist created two versions of this painting, and the present work is the second version, in which he introduced variations that strengthened its political message and justified the painting’s subtitle L’Italia nel 1848 (Italy in 1848), given by his friend Andrea Maffei , referring to the uprising of 1848 in Italy.
At the centre of the composition is a seated woman with a determined gaze, looking directly at the viewer. She is shown wearing a white dress with one breast exposed and serves as the allegorical figure of Italy. The exposed breast symbolises Italy as a nurturing mother figure who cares for her children. Despite this maternal identity, the woman’s expression is marked by determination and sorrow, further expressing the artist’s disappointment at the failure of the Italian uprising of 1848 against Austrian rule.
The woman is depicted holding a large book whose spine is inscribed with the words “STORIA D’ITALIA” (Story of Italy), painted in red. The spine is further inscribed with the volume number XVIII in Roman numerals. The use of red in the inscription is often interpreted as symbolising the long and blood-stained history of Italy.
The cross in the woman’s hand is a new addition in comparison to the first version of the painting, where it appears simply as a piece of jewellery. In this version, however, the cross assumes a much larger symbolic role. Following the cleaning of the painting, it was discovered that the cross is inscribed with the dates of the Cinque Giornate di Milano (Five Days of Milan), the days during which Milan rose against Austrian rule in 1848. Therefore, the cross symbolises martyrdom, commemorating those who sacrificed themselves in the struggle for Italian independence.
Francesco Hayez witnessed these events firsthand, and the work reflects his emotional engagement with the cause of the Risorgimento or the unification of Italy. Originally, the painting was intended to be titled - Italy in 1848, but due to Austrian censorship it was renamed as Meditation. This showcases the tension between the political criticism expressed in the painting and the real existential threats posed by the ruling authority.
The Meditation painting is a powerful allegory of 19th century Italy. It expresses the disappointment, grief, and continuing hope of the Italian nationalist movement known as the Risorgimento. It is a portrait of a nation between defeat and hope. Italy appears wounded, reflective, and grieving, yet not defeated. The work becomes both an elegy for the failed revolutions of 1848 and a prophecy of the eventual unification of Italy.
