The Macchiaioli Art and Artists

I was looking at some artwork the other day and realized I'd forgotten a lot of art history - probably because I had a class in art history about 100 years ago in college. I love looking at art, and if I brush up on my history I will sound quasi-erudite while walking through art galleries, which is not something I frequently do but, whatever.

So, I'm going to refresh my art memory by sharing information, starting with an art movement that is not as well known, as say, the impressionistic one. Those Impressionists get all the hype!

Even if you don't care about what painting goes with what art movement, Macchiaioli works are still interesting to look at. Unlike my old art history book that was fatter than a dictionary and used 8 pt type - I'm sticking with bite-sized bits of information about the art world you don't need reading glasses to see.

Even a picture about pictures is worth a thousand words, so this tour starts with the Portrait of Signora Martelli. What to notice:

• there is no sense of wealth or luxury
• Ms Martelli sits comfortably in the shade, sunlight in the background
• she is wearing a contented half smile
• the setting is natural, except for her chair - I don't think that grew in the woods
• despite the absence of luxury, Ms Martelli appears to want for nothing

These traits exemplify the Macchiaioli philosophy and style used by i Macchiaioli, who were a small band of painters in mid-19th century Tuscany.

Macchiaioli is pronounced:
mah-key-ay-OH-li

The Macchiaioli, descendants of the Renaissance era and just ahead of the Impressionists, came together in the 1840s, over coffee. At that time there was a movement in Italy called the Risorgimento (perhaps related to the pimento). The Risorgimento was a push to unite the entire Italian peninsula under one government. Macchiaioli paintings were a reflection of this desire for unification.

Slowly, some states in the Italian peninsula ousted their foreign leaders and the Risorgimento became a sprout rather than just a seed idea. However, when Italy finally was unified, the idealism of the Risorgimento was not met.

One group of discontents, who hung out at Caffe Michelangilo in Florence, took their frustrations into the countryside, creating a painting style illustrating simple daily life and the Italian landscape.
The Macchiaioli created the united Italy they had hoped for through their art.

The name of the Macchiaioli refers to "spots" of color. Historically, some painters did not draw their subject on a canvas first. (yikes) Instead, they lined up "spots" of color and contrast (light and shade) on the canvas.

Anyone remember dot-to-dot drawing books?
Now we're talking spot-to-spot.

Using a "macchia" (spot or stain) technique in combination with bold strokes, Macchiaioli artists attempted to capture their spontanious emotional reactions to their subjects. They often painted outside to study and capture subtle tones and shades of light.

Interesting sidenote: the word macchia can also refer to "outlaws" or "renegades."

Most of the Macchiaioli painters died penniless, unappreciated in their own time (the bane of artists throughout history). During the first half of the 20th century, they started to get recognition for their work, and The Macchiaioli found their rightful place in the Italian art timeline.

Still, Macchiaioli is not a household name, but it's their own fault. They should have gone with the Macchia, or Macoli, or macChia - something snappy that people aren't afraid to pronounce.

Art museum Naples

• Civic Museum, Modigliana
• Rhode Island School of Design, Providence
• Brera Gallery, Milan
• Museum of Science and Technology, Milan
• Banca Toscana, Figline Valdarno
• R. Carnielo Municipal Gallery, Florence
• Civic Gallery of Modern Art, Turin
• Gallery of Modern Art, Genoa-Nervi
• Civic Gallery of Modern Art, Milan
• Gallery of Modern Art, Ca' Pesaro, Venice
• United States Embassy, Rome
• Museo Medioevale e Moderno, Arezzo