Pompeo Massani
1850-1920
Born December 1850 in Florence, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence under the painter Gardigiani. He first exhibited his work in 1879 and during his life he continued to work throughout Italy, particularly in Florence, Rovigo and Genoa. He was made a Knight of the Crown of Italy for his artistic endeavours.
Massani is best known for his depiction of genre subjects. Some of these were of ecclesiastical subjects or peasant life, but his favourite subject was that of 18th century Italian interiors with elegant figures. Like other contemporaries such as Reggianini, Landini, Ricci and Andreotti, his works often had a romantic theme. Taste, elegance and luxury are keynotes in the re-interpretation of a bygone age, and many artists in Florence at this time perfected this popular genre.