Domenico Morelli

Domenico Morelli (* August 4, 1826 in Naples, † August 13, 1901 in Naples) was an Italian painter of the 19th century.

Biography

Domenico Morelli is regarded as one of the most important Neapolitan artists of the 19th century. He was also a Senator of the Kingdom of Italy during the 16th Parliament.

From 1836 he attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Naples, his first paintings are in romaneskem style with numerous medieval references ( inspired by the English poet Lord Byron ).

In 1848 he won a competition for the Romans price with the representation of a scene from Tassos Gerusalemma libertada. This victory entitled Morelli to a six-year stay in Rome at a monthly support of thirty ducats.

His participation in the uprisings of 1848 ended with a short prison stay. In 1850 he visited Florence. Here he received his first public recognition for his work Gli iconoglasti ( The Iconoclast ).

In 1855 he participated at the World Exhibition in Paris with Francesco Saverio Altamura and Serafino De Tivoli. Back in Florence, he took part in the idea of armed macchiaioli ( a group of Italian artists) concerning the realism in painting. Progressive he used a less academic and more personal style, especially in the use of color. According to the critics of the Neapolitan School mingled in his art late naturalism and romanticism.

Over the years since 1870, now known as a major Italian painter, he was named at the Museo di Capodimonte in Naples as a consultant and contributed to the purchase of paintings and to manage collections at.

In 1868, he received a seat at the Academy, in which he had studied. His interest was directed henceforth to religious, mystical and supernatural themes. In fact, in this period dated one of his most famous works, the Assumption in the Royal Palace of Naples. He also participated in the illustration of the Bible Amsterdam (1895 ).

From late 1899 until his death in 1901, he headed the Academy of Fine Arts in Naples.