The Italian Macchiaioli

Forerunners of Impressionism

On the Hills of Settignano Telemaco Signorini

A group of artists in Tuscany were an important part of the transition away from the classical art taught by the academies in the second half of the nineteenth century throughout Europe. They were called the Macchiaioli. Formed a decade before the French Impressionists, the similitude between the groups has often been noted. An exhibition at the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris in 2013 was titled, “Les Macchiaioli, des Impressionistes Italiens?”

The works of the painters of the Macchiaioli were greatly influenced by the Barbizon School. Their finished studio works maintain a realist style, but their smaller sketch-like and plein air paintings reflect an impressionistic style and explain their name. The Italian word “macchia” means “patches” signifying the patches of color used by the painters to record the light and colors of nature. The word was often used to describe the spontaneous “sparkling” quality of their sk…