Wide view of Venice: Piazza San Marco - Riva degli Schiavoni

L'INDOVINA - The Diviner

by Pietro Longhi - 1701(2)-1785

The Carnival symbology abounds in this painting, as much as all traditional elements of the Fortune-Tellers of those times:

  • the hand reading
  • the long communicating cane
  • the stage with the chair where the Fortune-Teller can dominate

As an extra element we have the poor girl trying to take advantage of the situation, selling some fruit. The Indovina's daughter, I would guess.

One tidbit: the expression on the face of the "client" who seems to express: "Aw, c'mon, who do you think I may be, to believe all this stuff here!".


Pietro Longhi: "L'Indovina a Venezia" (the Fortune Teller in Venice)
oil on canvas (ca. 1756) - Ca' Rezzonico, Venezia

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