La Siesta 1844

Franz Xaver Winterhalter painted ‘La Siesta’ using oil on canvas sometime in the mid-19th century. The painting depicts three Italian women resting beneath a tree, their colorful peasant dresses contrasting with the dark shadows of the woods. The mid-19th century was a time of great social and political change in Europe. The Industrial Revolution was in full swing, and new social classes were emerging. Winterhalter's paintings reflect the tastes of the upper classes, but they also hint at the growing awareness of the working class. Italy was seen by many as a place of unspoiled natural beauty, and this image is one of a great many that fetishize the lives of Italian peasants. To fully understand paintings such as this one, one might consult travel writing, social surveys, and even early photography. These shed light on the social and economic realities of rural Italy.