Portrait of Giovannina Monti Parapini and Carolina Croce

Giovannina Monti died in 1898, leaving a legacy of 30,000 in favour of the Maggiore Hospital, a sum insufficient to guarantee her half-length portrait. Her maid Carolina Croce, who had lived with her in intense and affectionate devotion, renounced the legacy that the benefactor had arranged for her, contenting herself with a small life annuity, but asking that the hospital execute the portrait of her employer, in which she would like to able to appear in turn. Stefano Bersani to whom the painting is commissioned, portray them in an attitude of sincere friendship, under a flowery pergola.