F. Valaperta, Ghismunda and Guiscardo, Oil on Canvas

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An important and refined oil painting on canvas by the Lombard painter Francesco Valaperta (Milan, 1836–1908), a student of Francesco … Read more An important and refined oil painting on canvas by the Lombard painter Francesco Valaperta (Milan, 1836–1908), a student of Francesco Hayez and a highly regarded exponent of 19th-century Italian historical and literary painting. Valaperta distinguished himself through works inspired by history, literature, and the great romantic sentiments—themes that characterize a significant portion of his oeuvre. The work depicts Ghismunda and Guiscardo, the protagonists of the first novella of the fourth day of Giovanni Boccaccio’s *Decameron*. The young noblewoman is portrayed in a moment of deep emotion alongside her beloved Guiscardo, a young man of humble origins but noble virtues. The scene captures with great sensitivity the moment of the secret encounter between the two lovers, before the tragic conclusion that would make their story one of the most famous in medieval literature. The composition fully reveals the artist’s Hayezian training: the medieval setting, the refined rendering of the garments, the delicacy of the skin tones, and the psychological intensity of their gazes all contribute to creating an atmosphere of poignant romanticism. Of particular note is the chromatic contrast between the whiteness of Ghismunda’s gown and the deep red of Guiscardo’s robe. The work is signed “F.V.” in the lower left corner, a monogram used by the artist. See less