Seated Woman c. 19th century

Giacomo Favretto, an Italian artist who captured the daily life of 19th-century Venice, painted this scene of a seated woman. Favretto was known for his genre paintings, which often depicted scenes of everyday life, particularly those of the working class. Here, the woman, presumably a working-class Venetian, is captured in a private, contemplative moment, seemingly unaware of our gaze. Her posture and attire – the dark dress, white undershirt, and red scarf – mark her identity. It is hard to miss the implicit themes of labor and leisure, class and gender, that were prominent in late 19th-century Europe. Favretto’s paintings offer a glimpse into the era's social fabric, inviting us to consider the lives and experiences of those often overlooked in grand historical narratives. Favretto died young, at only 37 years old, but his work continues to offer a vital perspective on the lives of ordinary Venetians, rendered with sensitivity and a keen sense of observation.