Artwork
The Faint
The Faint is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Pietro Longhi. It dates from 1744 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Pietro Longhi’s oil painting The Faint, executed around 1744, presents a domestic interior where a woman collapses into a man’s lap. The scene captures a moment of sudden illness, surrounded by onlookers whose gestures convey alarm and assistance.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, dressed in a pink gown, lies with her head on a white cushion, her pallid complexion indicating faintness. Around her, a man in a yellow robe and three additional figures—a pair of women and another man—react with concern, one holding a fan, suggesting attempts to revive her.
Technique & Style
Longhi employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, contrasting the warm illumination on the foreground with the darker background. The muted green walls and brown floor provide a restrained setting, while the careful rendering of fabrics and expressions underscores the genre’s focus on everyday drama.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑18th century, The Faint belongs to Longhi’s series of genre scenes that documented Venetian social life. The work has remained within private collections before entering public view, though specific ownership details are limited.
Context
During the Rococo period, Venetian painters like Longhi turned to intimate, anecdotal subjects, moving away from grand historical narratives. This painting reflects contemporary interest in the private sphere, emphasizing human interaction and the fleeting moments of daily existence.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
