Emilio Longoni was born in Barlassina, Lombardy, Italy. He attended painting classes at the Accademia di Brera in Milan from 1876 to 1880 while working in various trades, including toymaking and poster decoration.
His breakthroughs as an artist came in 1880 when he was signed up by gallery owner Vittore Grubicy, and in 1890 when he was introduced to the socialist writings of Marx and Nietzche. At one stage in his career he was under police surveillance for being an "anarchist painter" of themes of social deprivation.
Take a moment to look at the composition of this painting, where the areas of light and dark are. How the face of the woman is hidden, and the gentle symbolism (such as the lilies and candle in the foreground; are her hands together for a prayer or just clenched). Just look at the beautiful highlights in her hair at the back of her neck!
His breakthroughs as an artist came in 1880 when he was signed up by gallery owner Vittore Grubicy, and in 1890 when he was introduced to the socialist writings of Marx and Nietzche. At one stage in his career he was under police surveillance for being an "anarchist painter" of themes of social deprivation.
Take a moment to look at the composition of this painting, where the areas of light and dark are. How the face of the woman is hidden, and the gentle symbolism (such as the lilies and candle in the foreground; are her hands together for a prayer or just clenched). Just look at the beautiful highlights in her hair at the back of her neck!