Artist Birthdays – August 18: TELEMACO SIGNORINI

TELEMACO SIGNORINI (August 18, 1835 – February 1, 1901)

• Nationality: Italian
• Field: Painting
• Art Movement: Macchiaioli
• ARTiFact: He was a primary member of the Macchiaioli group, forerunners of the Impressionists who were dissatisfied with the antiquated conventions taught by Italian art academies. They painted outdoors in order to capture natural light, shade, and color and believed that areas of light and shadow, or “macchie” (patches or spots), were the chief components of a work of art.
• Artist Quote: “Do you know what in our view is great art? It is not what historical culture or imaginative talent demand from the artist but a conscious and precise observation of the infinite forms and character of the countryside surrounding us.”
• Important Artwork (shown below): Leith (detail), 1881.

Related Links:

• Learn more about the artist Telemaco Signorini 
• Discover your favorite artists at Park West Gallery