Giuseppe De Nittis was one of the most important Italian painters of the 19th century, whose work merges the styles of Salon art and Impressionism. Born in Barletta, Italy on February 25, 1846, De Nittis first studied under Giovanni Battista Calò before being expelled from the Instituto di Belle Arti in Naples for insubordination.
Early Career
De Nittis launched his career with the exhibition of two paintings at the 1864 Neapolitan Promotrice. He came into contact with some of the artists known as the Macchiaioli, becoming friends with
Telemaco Signorini and exhibiting in Florence. In 1867, he moved to Paris and entered into a contract with the art dealer Adolphe Goupil, which called for him to produce saleable genre works.
Rise to Prominence
After gaining some visibility by exhibiting at the Salon, De Nittis returned to Italy where he produced several views of Vesuvius. In 1872, he returned to Paris and achieved success at the Salon with his painting
Che freddo! (It's So Cold!) of 1874. He was invited to exhibit at the First Impressionist Exhibition, held at Nadar's, where he met artists such as
Edgar Degas. De Nittis took up pastels in 1875, which became an important medium for him in his remaining years.
Later Career and Legacy
De Nittis exhibited twelve paintings in the Exposition Universelle of 1878 and was awarded a gold medal. He also received the
Légion d’honneur that same year. De Nittis' work can be found in various museums, including the
Pinacoteca De Nittis in Barletta, Italy. Some of his notable works include:
De Nittis' legacy can be seen in the work of other artists, such as
Impressionism and
Macchiaioli. His use of pastels and emphasis on capturing light and color have influenced many artists. For more information on De Nittis and his contemporaries, visit
Telemaco Signorini or check out the Wikipedia page on
Giuseppe De Nittis.
Some of De Nittis' notable exhibitions include:
De Nittis' work can be found in various museums, including:
De Nittis died on August 21, 1884, at the age of 38. His wife,
Léontine Lucile Gruvelle, donated his paintings to the town of Barletta, where they are now gathered in the
Pinacoteca De Nittis. For more information on De Nittis and his contemporaries, visit https://WahooArt.com or check out the Wikipedia page on Giuseppe De Nittis.