Pietro Longhi (Pietro Falca)
Pietro Longhi (Pietro Falca)
The Family portrait (The Tutors of the Venier Family)
The Family portrait (The Tutors of the Venier Family)
Indeed, he not only reproduced the Carnival sights, theatrical performances, playful moments, veiled courtships, and moments of aristocratic and common life, but also produced a series of group portraits of the Venetian aristocracy, from which his skills as a keen observer of the society of the time emerge.
Indeed, he not only reproduced the Carnival sights, theatrical performances, playful moments, veiled courtships, and moments of aristocratic and common life, but also produced a series of group portraits of the Venetian aristocracy, from which his skills as a keen observer of the society of the time emerge.
80 x 98 cm
Date: 1780 ca
Medium: oil on canvas
Medium: oil on canvas
Date: 1780 ca
Medium: oil on canvas
Medium: oil on canvas
Introduction
Introduction
The painting is an oil on canvas made around 1780. It depicts the upbringing of a child, in this case the eldest son of a noble family that - as the title suggests - can be identified as the Venier family of Santa Maria Formosa.
The work is located at Gallerie d'Italia - Vicenza.
The painting is an oil on canvas made around 1780. It depicts the upbringing of a child, in this case the eldest son of a noble family that - as the title suggests - can be identified as the Venier family of Santa Maria Formosa.
The work is located at Gallerie d'Italia - Vicenza.
A portrait featuring Doge Sebastiano Venier hangs on the back wall of the painting.
A portrait featuring Doge Sebastiano Venier hangs on the back wall of the painting.
The little protagonist is standing in the centre of the luxurious room of the family palace and is captured in the middle of a lesson break, surrounded by a host of teachers.
The little protagonist is standing in the centre of the luxurious room of the family palace and is captured in the middle of a lesson break, surrounded by a host of teachers.
The child's face has delicate features, blond hair; he is wearing a light blue dress buttoned at the front with a black collar, he is wearing ankle boots, his right arm is bent at his side, his left hand is held by the hand of the ballet teacher.
The child's face has delicate features, blond hair; he is wearing a light blue dress buttoned at the front with a black collar, he is wearing ankle boots, his right arm is bent at his side, his left hand is held by the hand of the ballet teacher.
The teacher, in line with the fashion of the time, has a short, wavy white wig on his head, his face serious and concentrated, both seeming to hint at a dance step. He is wearing a very elegant red suit called a marsina, with a long jacket, under-jacket and white shirt, knee-length trousers, socks and black shoes.
The teacher, in line with the fashion of the time, has a short, wavy white wig on his head, his face serious and concentrated, both seeming to hint at a dance step. He is wearing a very elegant red suit called a marsina, with a long jacket, under-jacket and white shirt, knee-length trousers, socks and black shoes.
A dog wanders between the child and the teacher.
A dog wanders between the child and the teacher.
Around them a group of teachers occupies the entire space of the room; the back wall is covered with a dark green damask fabric, which also covers the armchairs.
Around them a group of teachers occupies the entire space of the room; the back wall is covered with a dark green damask fabric, which also covers the armchairs.
The abbot - in a black suit and white shirt - is sitting comfortably in the armchair to the left; in front of him is a small table with a book and a map.
The abbot - in a black suit and white shirt - is sitting comfortably in the armchair to the left; in front of him is a small table with a book and a map.
A young lady, perhaps a housekeeper, seems to have recently entered the room to bring a tray of sweets. She has a delicate face, her black hair gathered in a soft hairstyle, adorned with a small cap. She wears an elegant dress with a fitted bodice and wide skirt, long sleeves that end in a wide lapel. She wears a row of pears at her neck and earrings which are also made of pearls.
A young lady, perhaps a housekeeper, seems to have recently entered the room to bring a tray of sweets. She has a delicate face, her black hair gathered in a soft hairstyle, adorned with a small cap. She wears an elegant dress with a fitted bodice and wide skirt, long sleeves that end in a wide lapel. She wears a row of pears at her neck and earrings which are also made of pearls.
Positioned further back than the lady is a keyboard instrument called a spinet with a musical score.
Positioned further back than the lady is a keyboard instrument called a spinet with a musical score.
Next to it, the music teacher is holding a heavy, broad cloak called tabard over his shoulders. He wears a voluminous white wig, and has a pair of pince-nez glasses on his nose.
Next to it, the music teacher is holding a heavy, broad cloak called tabard over his shoulders. He wears a voluminous white wig, and has a pair of pince-nez glasses on his nose.
Standing further back, another instructor with a serious face and a grey wig is wearing a tailcoat with an under-jacket, he is holding a book under his arm and in the other a hat with three raised points called a tricorn.
Standing further back, another instructor with a serious face and a grey wig is wearing a tailcoat with an under-jacket, he is holding a book under his arm and in the other a hat with three raised points called a tricorn.
The old nanny with the thin face, sharp nose and close-cropped hair sits in front of him. She is wearing a light grey dress, white scarf, green skirt covered with an apron. Around her neck she is wearing a choker and dangling earrings. In her arms she is holding the baby's younger
sister removed from the walker next to the chair.
sister removed from the walker next to the chair.
The old nanny with the thin face, sharp nose and close-cropped hair sits in front of him. She is wearing a light grey dress, white scarf, green skirt covered with an apron. Around her neck she is wearing a choker and dangling earrings. In her arms she is holding the baby's younger
sister removed from the walker next to the chair.
sister removed from the walker next to the chair.
The little one is also wearing an elegant embroidered dress, her chubby face turned toward the onlooker, on her head a black bonnet decorated with red bows, in her hands a thin object with which she seems to play.
The little one is also wearing an elegant embroidered dress, her chubby face turned toward the onlooker, on her head a black bonnet decorated with red bows, in her hands a thin object with which she seems to play.