Artwork
Portrait de Camille Cavour
Portrait de Camille Cavour is an oil painting by Francesco Hayez. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the Pinacoteca di Brera.
About this work
Overview
Francesco Hayez, a central figure of Milanese Romanticism, executed this oil on canvas in 1864. The work portrays the Italian statesman Camillo Cavour, presenting him in a restrained, formal pose against a neutral backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
Cavour appears in a dark coat, white shirt, and a black bow tie, his hair neatly arranged and spectacles framing his eyes. The simplicity of the setting emphasizes his political stature and personal demeanor, suggesting a portrait intended for official or diplomatic contexts.
Technique & Style
Hayez applies oil paint with meticulous attention to texture, rendering the fabrics and glass lenses with fine brushwork. The muted grey wall behind the sitter provides a subdued contrast, allowing the figure’s features and attire to dominate the composition.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the portrait has been part of the collection at Milan’s Pinacoteca di Brera, where it remains accessible to the public as part of the museum’s holdings of 19th‑century Italian art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Francesco Hayez (Italian: ; 10 February 1791 – 12 February 1882) was an Italian painter.
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