Pompeo Massani Biography
Pompeo Massani was a famous Italian painter born in Florence in December 1850 and passed away in the same city on 25 August 1920. After completing his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, he had as his teacher for three years Michele Gordigiani.
His artistic career began with the painting "Politics in the canonica", which earned him a silver medal at the Rovigo Exposition of 1879. In 1881, Massani won the primacy at the Genoa exhibition thanks to the work "Un toast to the friar", in which he represented over 36 figures. Among his other most important works are "The Design Lesson", owned by the Goupil Gallery, "The Old Bachelors", "A Game of Cards", "The Concert", "In the Cellar", and "The Salute to the Hunchback ".
Massani was also the author of portraits as famous as they were important, including those of King Vittorio Emanuele and the Countess of Mirafiore. The Italian painter was also the author of many works that depicted scenes of public life, as in the case of the painting on tambourines, in which he represented lively public scenes, including "At the Marionette Theater", "At the Equestrian Circus", "The Juggler", and "Merry Moment".
In 1889, Massani participated in the Munich Exhibition, where he exhibited the painting "Equestrian Circus". Over the course of his career, Massani was appointed honorary professor of the Royal Academy of Fine Art in Florence, and in 1887 he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Crown of Italy. His art was primarily focused on genre painting, with scenes often depicted in costume and satirical poses.
