Chances are that you have never heard of the Macchiaioli: an artistic movement similar to French Impressionism that represented a rebellion against the Florentine Academy. One of the earliest developments in European modern art, this movement and its artists are often overlooked outside of Italy. The paintings of the Macchiaioli are worth exploring for the authenticity with which they captured the world around them as Italy became a nation and traditional rural life was giving way to modernity. While the Macchiaioli artists were working in Italy, across the Atlantic Italian immigrant sculptors were laboring anonymously to carve the works of American artists such as Daniel Chester French. Only a few of these important works identify the artisan. Together we will explore the works of these overlooked painters and carvers.
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