Longing (Saudade) 1899

"Longing (Saudade)" is a poignant oil painting by Brazilian artist José Ferraz de Almeida Junior, completed in 1899. It depicts a woman dressed in black, her face obscured by her hand as she reads a letter, her posture conveying a sense of longing and melancholy. The painting captures the essence of "saudade," a Portuguese word that embodies a deep emotional state of melancholic longing for an absent something or someone. This work exemplifies Almeida Junior's mastery of Realism, showcasing the intricacies of human emotion and the power of a single, contemplative gesture.