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Francesco Hayez Most Popular Paintings

The 25 artworks by Francesco Hayez our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 25 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide Francesco Hayez · 1791 – 1882

The Kiss

1859 · Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan · original 112 x 88 cm

Experience Francesco Hayez’s ‘The Kiss,’ a masterpiece of Italian Romanticism. Hand-painted reproduction of this iconic 1859 artwork, capturing love & passion. Bring art history home!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$43588 × 112 cm Commission at original size

Valenza Gradenigo before the Inquisition

Fondazione Cariplo, Milan · original 5 x 96 cm

Delve into Francesco Hayez's haunting "Valenza Gradenigo before the Inquisition," a Romantic drama depicting familial conflict and moral judgment, illuminated by masterful chiaroscuro.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17535 × 29 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait, Matilde Juva-Branca

1851 · Civica Galleria d'Arte Moderna, Milan

Francesco Hayez’s "Portrait of Matilde Juva-Branca" (1851). Admire this stunning 19th-century oil painting – a masterpiece of realism & romanticism. Explore its rich details & historical context.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Rinaldo and Armida

1812 · Gallerie dell'Accademia di Venezia, Venice

Francesco Hayez's 'Rinaldo and Armida' (1812) portrays Rinaldo and Armida's dramatic encounter amidst a Venetian forest, capturing the essence of Romanticism with rich colors and detailed figures. Explore its symbolism and artistic legacy.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17542 × 24 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Countess Antonietta Negroni Prati Morosini

Galleria d'Arte Moderna, Milan

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17529 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

The Last Meeting between Jacopo Foscari and his Family Before Being Sent into Exile

Fondazione Cariplo, Milan · original 233 x 165 cm

This monumental oil painting portrays Jacopo Foscari pleading with his father before the Doge’s Palace, capturing the drama of betrayal and familial sorrow. Commissioned for Emperor Ferdinand I, it reflects Hayez's masterful technique and theatrical vision.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17537 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1261233 × 165 cm Commission at original size

Nude woman lying from the back

1860 · Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan · original 60 x 50 cm

Experience the serene vulnerability of Hayez's Romantic masterpiece, Nude Woman Lying From The Back; capture this 19th-century Italian gem for your collection.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17536 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$23460 × 50 cm Commission at original size

Self-Portrait in a Group of Friends (detail)

1824 · Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milan

The Kiss (Italian: Il bacio [il ˈbaːtʃo]) is an 1859 painting by the Italian artist Francesco Hayez. Possibly his best-known work, the painting conveys the main features of Italian Romanticism and has come to represent the spirit of the Risorgimento.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Sicilian Vespers scene 3

1846 · Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna, Rome

Experience the dramatic intensity of Francesco Hayez's 'Sicilian Vespers,' a pivotal 1846 painting capturing the chaos and conflict of a medieval rebellion. A masterpiece of Italian Romanticism.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 9 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17537 × 27 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Giovanni Battista Birago

1823 · Ca’ Granda – Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan · original 193 x 115 cm

Admire Francesco Hayez's masterpiece, "Portrait of Giovanni Battista Birago," depicting a dignified soldier in opulent attire – a stunning reproduction available at ArtsDot.com!

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 10 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17525 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$793115 × 193 cm Commission at original size

The Death of Abradatas

Fondazione Cariplo, Milan

Francesco Hayez’s "The Death of Abradatas" captures a dramatic historical scene with Roman figures, reflecting the artist's romantic style and period. Explore this captivating artwork and its rich narrative – perfect for art lovers.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 11 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17536 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

Wall Decoration (detail)

1817 · Museo Correr, Venice

Experience the captivating beauty of Francesco Hayez's 'Wall Decoration (detail)' – a stunning 1817 tempera painting showcasing three women and rich details, now available as a handmade oil reproduction.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 12 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17526 × 39 cm Commission this artwork

The Kiss

1859

A breathtaking display of Italian Romantic passion, this 1859 masterpiece The Kiss by Francesco Hayez captures an intimate embrace through soft brushstrokes and warm tones, inviting you to bring this iconic scene home.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 13 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Portrait of Pietro Francesco Visconti Borromeo

1824 · Ca’ Granda – Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan · original 205 x 125 cm

Admire Francesco Hayez’s ‘Portrait of Pietro Visconti,’ a stunning 1824 neoclassical masterpiece. Explore rich detail, dramatic lighting & aristocratic elegance. #art #neoclassical #hayez

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 14 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17525 × 41 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$892125 × 205 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli

1851 · Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milan · original 120 x 94 cm

Francesco Hayez's 'Portrait of Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli' captures a dignified gentleman in a formal 19th-century portrait, showcasing rich detail and a sense of quiet authority.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 15 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$47694 × 120 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli (detail)

1851 · Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milan

Discover Francesco by Hayez: A stunning portrait of Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli. Admire its realistic detail & dramatic lighting – a masterpiece of 19th-century Italian art.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 16 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Self-Portrait in a Group of Friends

1824 · Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milan · original 33 x 30 cm

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 17 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17530 × 33 cm Commission this artwork

Flowers

Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan · original 124 x 95 cm

'Flowers' by Francesco Hayez is a captivating still life painting from 1834, showcasing Hayez's masterful technique in portraying the delicate hues of blossoms against a minimalist backdrop. Admire this serene depiction at the Pinacoteca di Brera.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 18 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$49195 × 124 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Alessandro Manzoni

1841 · Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan · original 118 x 92 cm

This stunning oil painting by Francesco Hayez portrays Alessandro Manzoni, capturing his contemplative expression and embodying the spirit of Romantic art. Located in Milan’s Pinacoteca di Brera, it exemplifies Hayez’s skill in historical portraiture.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 19 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$46492 × 118 cm Commission at original size

Self Portrait

1861 · original 101 x 125 cm

A powerful display of Romanticism introspection, this Self Portrait by Francesco Hayez captures a contemplative gaze through dramatic light and shadow, inviting you to bring this masterpiece of Italian art into your home.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 20 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17528 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$516101 × 125 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Ferdinand I of Austria

1840 · original 121 x 96 cm

This 1840 Romantic oil painting by Francesco Hayez captures royal power. Explore this masterpiece of Italian art today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 21 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$48696 × 121 cm Commission at original size

Portrait of Don Giulio Vigoni as a child

1830 · original 20 x 17 cm

This Romantic oil painting by Francesco Hayez captures a young boy's innocent gaze. Explore this 1830 masterpiece today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 22 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Pope Urban II Preaching the First Crusade in the Square of Clermont

Fondazione Cariplo, Milan · original 235 x 157 cm

A powerful dramatic scene of Pope Urban II preaching the First Crusade unfolds in this masterful Italian Romantic painting by Francesco Hayez, inviting you to explore the profound emotion of this historical masterpiece.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 23 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17539 × 26 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$1216235 × 157 cm Commission at original size

Ballerina Carlotta Chabert as Venus

1830 · original 183 x 137 cm

This Romantic oil painting by Francesco Hayez depicts Carlotta Chabert as Venus. Discover the beauty of this masterpiece today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 24 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17527 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$876137 × 183 cm Commission at original size

The Marriage of Romeo and Juliet

1830

This 1830 Romantic masterpiece by Francesco Hayez captures a joyous wedding scene. Discover this timeless oil painting reproduction today.

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 25 of 208 artworks by Francesco Hayez
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17535 × 28 cm Commission this artwork

The artist

Francesco Hayez

1791 – 1882

Quick facts

Died1882
Also known asAjez, Hayez, Hayes, Francesco Hayer, Francisco Hayez
Viberomantic
Copyright statusPublic domain
Works on APS208
Corpus themesitalian romanticism, political allegory, hayez's signature style, historical narrative, romantic ideals
Art period19th Century
Room fitliving room

Biography

Early Life, Family and Training

In the city of Venice, where the light dances upon the canals, Francesco Hayez entered the world on February 10, 1791. He was the youngest of five sons born to a family of modest means. His father, Giovanni, carried the blood of France, while his mother, Chiara Torcella, was a daughter of Murano. Even as a child, it was evident that the boy possessed a natural inclination toward drawing, a gift that would eventually lead him away from the simple life of his kin toward the complexities of the canvas.

His path toward the arts began not in a grand academy, but in the quiet, meticulous workshop of his uncle, Giovanni Binasco. As an apprentice to this art restorer, the young Francesco learned the discipline of observation and the patience required to handle the works of others. This early labor provided a foundation of technical skill that would support his later ambitions. By 1806, his talent had grown enough to lead him to Milan, where he enrolled in the new academy of fine arts. There, he sought the guidance of Teodoro Matteini, a teacher who would help shape the early movements of his developing hand.

Artistic Training and Roman Influence

After his early years in Venice, the young artist sought to refine his hand through the guidance of masters. He spent time studying the use of colour in classes held by Lattanzio Querena, a painter from Bergamo. This technical foundation prepared him for the great competition he would eventually win in 1809. This victory granted him a year of study at the Accademia di San Luca in Rome, a period that would fundamentally alter the course of his development. In the Eternal City, he moved through circles of great talent, seeking to understand the secrets of form and light.

Rome offered him more than just classroom instruction; it provided the chance to witness greatness in person. He spent many hours within the Vatican Stanze, studying the works of Raphael to learn how to compose complex narratives. He also sought out the workshop of the sculptor Antonio Canova, watching how the master worked with marble. These encounters with the classical and the Renaissance helped shape his vision. His formal education reached its conclusion through visits to the Galleria Farsetti in Venice, where he could observe the great traditions of his home city once more.

Technique and Artistic Style

In the way he applied his brush, Hayez remained a man of discipline, even when his subjects stirred the soul. While his choice of themes often leaned toward the emotional fervor of Romanticism, his actual technique held fast to the clarity of his training. He favored clear outlines that spoke of his time in Rome, where he moved within the circles of Canova and Ingres. This preference for precision allowed him to navigate between the rigid grace of Neoclassicism and the more expressive demands of his era. He worked with oil and watercolor, mastering the ability to render both the grand scale of history and the intimate details of a face.

There was a certain tension in his compositions, a quiet yearning that he achieved through the skillful use of light and shadow. He employed dramatic chiaroscuro to pull his figures from the darkness, using expressive brushstrokes to breathe life into his scenes. This method was particularly effective in his grand historical paintings and political allegories, where he used the past to whisper truths about the present. Even in his portraits, which were noted for being exceptionally fine, he sought to capture more than a mere likeness, aiming instead for the very essence of the person sitting before him.

The Kiss (1859)
Ruth (1853)
Rinaldo and Armida

Notable Works and Masterpieces

The artist’s hand found its most profound expression in works that stirred the soul through historical and romantic drama. In 1859, he produced The Kiss, a painting that his contemporaries held in the highest regard. This work captures a couple in a passionate embrace upon steps overlooking a cityscape, a scene that many felt embodied the very spirit of the era's political struggles. His ability to weave narrative into a single frame is further seen in Rinaldo and Armida, which draws its tension from a pivotal scene in Torquato Tasso’s epic poem Gerusalemme Liberata. Here, the painter depicts the tumultuous romance between a prince and a sorceress amidst a detailed Venetian forest.

Beyond these romantic encounters, he turned his attention to the weight of history and the gravity of sacred stories. He rendered the biblical figure of Ruth in an 1853 oil painting, capturing the essence of the Moabite woman. His skill in historical narrative is evident in Pope Urban II Preaching the First Crusade in the Square of Clermont, a piece that demonstrates his command over large-scale, dramatic compositions. Later in his life, around 1867, he painted The Last Moments of Doge Marin Faliero, a work that reflects the somber gravity of his later years.

The Kiss (1859)
Ruth (1853)
Rinaldo and Armida
Pope Urban II Preaching the First Crusade in the Square of Clermont
The Last Moments of Doge Marin Faliero (about 1867)

Professional Roles and Patrons

Beyond the quiet solitude of the studio, Hayez moved within the most influential circles of Milanese society. His talent and steady hand earned him a place of authority at the Brera Academy, where he served as a Professor of Painting. His devotion to the institution grew as the years passed, eventually leading to his appointment as the Director of the Brera Academy in 1860. Through these roles, he shaped the hands and minds of many who sought to master the art of his era.

The demand for his work came from those who sought to capture their own history and sentiment through his brush. Alfonso Maria Visconti di Saliceto commissioned the famous scene of a couple embracing, a work that would later find its home in the Pinacoteca di Brera. Other patrons sought his skill for more intimate or religious subjects, such as Severino Bonora of Bologna, who requested the depiction of Ruth. These commissions were not merely transactions but were deeply tied to the social and political currents of the time.

The popularity of his imagery even led to multiple versions of a single subject. While the first version of his most famous embrace was destined for a noble collection, the Mylius family commissioned a second version in 1861. Such requests demonstrate how his vision resonated with the families and collectors of the nineteenth century, securing his place in the private halls of the Italian elite.

Legacy and Impact on Art

The influence of Francesco Hayez upon Italian Romanticism remains undeniable, for he acted as the bridge between two eras. He was the most significant figure in the transition from the structured clarity of Neoclassicism to the emotional depth of Romanticism in Italian painting. While his technique often retained the clear outlines and precision he learned in Rome, his heart belonged to the dramatic narratives and political allegories that defined a changing nation. He understood how to use the language of the past to speak to the passions of the present, often disguising the fervent ideals of the Risorgimento within historical scenes to avoid the eyes of censors.

His canvases have long been a subject of study for art historians and enthusiasts who seek to understand the shifting soul of nineteenth-century Italy. By blending the formal training of the Academy with a new, expressive sensibility, he provided a visual vocabulary for a period of intense national awakening. This ability to marry classical discipline with romantic sentiment ensured that his work would not merely fade into history but would continue to inspire new generations of artists who sought to capture the human spirit in flux.

The Kiss (1859)
Ruth (1853)
Rinaldo and Armida

Where to See His Works Today

To walk through the halls of Milan is to encounter the spirit of Hayez in many forms. The Pinacoteca di Brera remains a primary destination for those seeking his hand, holding works that reflect his deep connection to the city's artistic life. Nearby, the Civica Galleria d'Arte Moderna also preserves an impressive collection, ensuring his presence in the local landscape remains strong. One might also find his brushwork within the Museo Poldi Pezzoli, where several of his paintings are kept for public view.

His reach extends beyond the borders of Milan, reaching into the heart of Rome. There, the Accademia di San Luca preserves the work Ulysses at the Court of Alcinous, a piece that speaks to the classical training he received during his youth. These collections allow the viewer to see how his style evolved from the academic traditions of his training into the more emotive narratives of his maturity.

The Kiss (1859)
Ruth (1853)
Portrait of Matilde Juva-Branca (1851)
Portrait of Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli (1851)

Questions & Answers

Where are Francesco Hayez's artworks grouped by art movement?

Francesco Hayez's works can be browsed by movement on the artist's All Movements page.

Where can I see all artworks by Francesco Hayez?

Every work by Francesco Hayez on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.

Where can I see Francesco Hayez's artworks in a 3D gallery?

The 3D Museum of Francesco Hayez is a page that displays the artist's artworks in a virtual three-dimensional gallery.

By the ArtsDot.com Editorial Team Updated Oct. 15, 2026

Collector's quiz

In which city was Francesco Hayez born?
Under which artist did Hayez study at the Accademia di San Luca in Rome?
Which of these works is considered one of Hayez's best works by his contemporaries?
In what year did Hayez become the Director of the Brera Academy?
What was the profession of Hayez's father, Giovanni?

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