Eugenio Cecconi

Eugenio Cecconi
Eugenio Cecconi
	After the Hunt, painting by Eugenio Cecconi
Born	September 8, 1842; Livorno, Italy
Died	December 19, 1903; Florence, Italy
Nationality	Italian
Education	University of Pisa; Art Academy, Florence
Known for	Painter
Movement	Orientalist

Eugenio Cecconi (September 8, 1842 – December 19, 1903) was an Italian painter. He is most noted for his paintings of hunting scenes and the Italian countryside, however his work also includes many representations of Oriental themes.

Early life

He was born in Livorno into a wealthy family. His father owned substantial lands around Livorno, and the rents were used not only to support his large family, but also to assist those who worked towards a unified Italy. For his support of the rebels, Eugenio's father was forced into exile, taking refuge in the countryside. The boy, Eugenio, acquired his love of nature and animals during this period and developed a passion for hunting.

Education and career

He first studied jurisprudence at the University of Pisa, then entered a course of study under the sculptor Fazzi from Lucca, a pupil of Carlo Markò the elder. He moved to Florence to practice law with Leopoldo Cempini, but began to attend courses of painting at the Academy under Enrico Pollastrini. Following his father's death in 1864 he abandoned law, and concentrated on painting. His early work concentrated on portraits of customers, painted inside his studio. However, when the weather was good, he would take to the hills and paint scenes from the countryside.

In 1866, he volunteered with other Tuscan artists to fight in the wars of Italian Independence. After that campaign, he opened a studio in Livorno adjacent to Adolfo Belimbau. By the summer of that year, Diego Martelli hosted him to Castiglioncello: where he works alongside Boldini, Bechi, and Abbati. In 1869, he considered himself sufficient as a painter, and began to exhibit some of his works at the Promotrice di Turin. Encouraged by friends and other painters, he exhibited again in 1872 at the second National Exhibition of Milan. The 1872 exhibition was a turning point in his career, as his work gained considerable public and critical attention. [1]

In 1873, he moved to Ceppato, near Lari, painting hunting scenes. He became friends with Francesco Gioli and Corcos. In 1875, he travelled to Tunisia with Belimbau. Upon returning to Tuscany, he settled in Torre del Lago, the hamlet which was now a locus for artistic pilgrimages due to the presence of the Villa of Puccini. Following his sojourn in Tunisia, he became interested in Oriental scenes. His experience also changed his perceptions of colour and light.

In 1880 he exhibited Cenciaiole Livornesi and exhibited at the International Exposition of Modern Paintings at the società Donatello. In 1881-1888, he exhibited at Florence, Rome, Milan, Bologna, and Turin.[2]

He died in Florence in 1903.

Work

Cecconi worked in oils, pencil and watercolor drawings, tempers, engravings and also with fresco. His early work feature portraits and scenes of the Italian countryside. His later works include Oriental themes. He is most noted for his hunting scenes featuring hunting dogs.

Select list of paintings

Hunted Rally
Maremmano Braccaiolo
Hunters' Park
Hunters on the Seashore
Hunting in the Fucecchio Padule
Hunting Appointment
Deer Death
Hound Dogs
Wild Boar
Cenciaiole Livornesi 1880
Paesaggio Invernale, 1885
Volto di Donna Araba,

Gallery

La Caccia al Cinghiale nel Padule di Burano (detail)
La Caccia al Cinghiale nel Padule di Burano (detail)

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References

Juler, C., Les Orientalistes de l'école Italienne, [French edition], Paris, ARC, 1994, p. 57
Pinacoteca Livorno short biography. Extracted from La pittura in Italia - l'Ottocento. Electa, Milan, 1992; La pittura Toscana dopo la macchia. De Agostini, Novara, 1994 Raffaele Monti e Giuliano Matteucci (a cura di), I Postmacchiaioli, Edizioni De Luca, Rome 1994.