Vincenzo Vela, Italy Grateful to France, 1861-2. 1st version, red background: marble, 2nd version: plaster.
â[The work] was executed on a private commission from a group of patriotic milanese ladies in Milan who wished to present it to Empress EugĂŠnie of France, the consort of Napoleon III. During the Second Empire, France was very supportive of Italyâs efforts to win independence from the Austrian empire, a fact to which the suggestive and ambiguous depiction of the relationship between the two States alludes. Furthermore, the partial nudity of âItalyâ provoked a heated debate about the peninsulaâs desired but unachieved emancipation from foreign powers.â - Museo Vela france: hey baby, wanna play emancipation from foreign powers with me? italy: *swoons*


















