Italia 1834 - 1836

"Italia," a 1834-1836 oil painting by Philipp Veit, is a powerful allegorical representation of the Italian peninsula as a woman figure. Seated atop a stone platform, she holds a staff topped with a cross, symbolizing her history and faith, her regal red robes signifying her enduring strength. The painting, now housed in the Städel Museum, embodies Romanticism's fascination with historical and national identity through its idealized portrayal of Italy. Veit's artwork, with its rich detail and vibrant color palette, embodies the spirit of 19th-century Romanticism and continues to evoke a sense of national pride and cultural heritage.