L’altalena 1941

"L’altalena" (1941) by Italian artist Antonio Donghi (1897-1963) depicts a woman in a circus setting. The woman is dressed in a white slip and stands on a small stage, holding a leash attached to two dogs. The stage is decorated with a hoop and a red ladder, while a green ball rests on a small table. The painting’s meticulous detail and muted palette evoke a sense of stillness and quiet drama, characteristic of Donghi's style. The composition hints at a performance in progress, leaving the viewer to imagine the narrative unfolding.