La Romanza Preferita 

Vittorio Reggianini painted “La Romanza Preferita” with oil on canvas. It depicts a musician playing the harpsichord for three women, but what catches my eye is how love and music intertwine in this domestic scene. Note the wall paintings that evoke classical themes of love and beauty. This harkens back to ancient depictions of Venus and Cupid, a timeless duo representing desire and affection. Now, consider the arrangement: the musician’s passionate expression mirrored by the women’s rapt attention. It's an echo of the Renaissance courtly love tradition, yet with a modern twist. The motif of music as a conduit for emotion transcends time. Think of Orpheus, whose lyre charmed even the gods, or David, whose harp soothed Saul's tormented soul. In Reggianini’s painting, music bridges the gap between performer and audience, creating a shared emotional experience. This powerful connection, rooted in our collective memory, allows us to feel the scene's subtle undercurrents of longing and admiration. It's a timeless dance of attraction and artistic expression.