The “Kiss” by Francesco Hayez is one of the symbolic paintings of the Pinacoteca di Brera. But in reality the “Kisses” attributable to Hayez are different. And traces of the famous kiss can also be found in other works.

The “Bacio” by Hayez in Brera

The best known version is that of 1859, presented in Brera under the title “Il Bacio. Episode of youth. Costumes of the XIV century “. The meaning of Hayez’s kiss, at least according to the common reading, also explains its success: the second war of independence had just ended and in that picture there are those who saw the farewell kiss of the volunteer hero who leaves for the front and greets his beloved. Not knowing if he will return. This is the version kept in the last room of the Pinacoteca di Brera: the Pinacoteca is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:30 am to 7:15 pm, the whole entrance costs 10 euros. On the third Thursday of the month the ticket costs 3 euros

The other “kisses” by Hayez of Brera

In the same Pinacoteca we find also two other kisses. One is the “Triste Presentimento” by Gerolamo Induno, looking closely at this painting, behind the girl protagonist of the painting and next to the bust of Garibaldi, there is a picture that portrays the kiss of Francesco Hayez. Francesco Hayez and his most famous work: a further kiss is outside the Palazzo di Brera: looking at the Palazzo, in the little square on the right, from 1890 there is a memorial dedicated to Francesco Hayez who for years was one of the The Brera Academy teachers The work was done by Francesco Barzaghi and on the left side, engraved in bronze, there is the famous “Kiss” of the master.

Hayez: not just one Kiss

However, as anticipated, Hayez’s Kiss has several versions. To the point that you can not be sure of how many there are.

A second version was commissioned by the Mylius family in 1861: it was exhibited at the Paris Universal Exposition in 1867 and a collector won it in 2008 for an auction of over 780,000 pounds.

Then there is a third version, belonging to a private collector, in which the green cloak of the man, his red trousers and a white cloth resting on the staircase evoke the Italian flag. Here, too, the meaning of Hayez’s kiss is linked to the struggle for independence and the unity of Italy

There would also be a fourth, of which the traces were mysteriously lost. This is to stay on the canvas versions.

Because then there are those in watercolor. One, dated 1859, is exhibited at the Ambrosiana Art Gallery in Milan. But since Hayez, in the face of the great success of his work, he made several copies, it is possible that even the watercolor versions there are other replicas and specimens.

Hayez’s kiss in Como

Another “kiss” by Hayez, finally, is visible at Villa Carlotta, on Lake Como: the title of the painting is “The Last Kiss of Romeo and Juliet”. The painting dates back to 1823 and for the installation it certainly evokes the most famous later kisses.