Study of a Seated Woman 1702 - 1785

Pietro Longhi’s sketch captures a seated woman, draped in a voluminous cloak that partially veils her face, a common garment in 18th century Venice. This motif of concealment, of draping the body in cloth, has resonated across centuries. We see echoes of it in depictions of the Virgin Mary enveloped in her mantle, a symbol of protection and mourning. But it’s also reminiscent of ancient Roman statues of veiled figures, representing piety and reverence. The act of veiling, of hiding and revealing, speaks to the complex interplay between privacy and exposure. The gesture of the woman clutching her cloak, almost protectively, taps into deep, subconscious feelings of vulnerability. The drapery both conceals and hints at what lies beneath, engaging us in a psychological dance of curiosity and restraint. This visual language carries a powerful emotional charge, one that continues to affect us today.