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A Lady receiving a Cavalier

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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Notes

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Pietro Longhi has combined an image of gallantry with a glimpse of domestic life – two maids at the left work at an embroidery frame. The elegantly dressed lady of the house welcomes a dashing gentleman, who places his hand on his heart as he bows from the waist. She leans towards him and lightly fans herself.

A painting hanging on the wall behind shows Diana, the chaste goddess of hunting, surrounded by cupids who decorate a nude sculpture. This is possibly of the garden god, Pan, who is often associated with sexuality. The figure of Diana may allude to the chastity of the woman in the foreground, and Pan to the amorous intentions of her companion.

The background is fairly muted, but Longhi has included flashes of colour in the lady’s pink floral brooch and in the gold embroidered edges of the man’s jacket.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

A Lady receiving a Cavalier

Date

1745-55

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 61.5 x W 50.7 cm

Accession number

NG5841

Acquisition method

Bequeathed by Mrs M.V. James from the Arthur James collection, 1948

Work type

Painting

Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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