Giuseppe De Nittis (1846–1884): Bridging Salon Art & Impressionism

Giuseppe De Nittis (February 25, 1846 – August 21, 1884) 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. He also renewed his acquaintance with his former neighbor, Geremia Discanno, and both De Nittis and Discanno exhibited in Turin in 1867 and sold work there.

• He was born in Barletta, Apulia, Italy
• Studied under Giovanni Battista Calò
• Expelled from the Instituto di Belle Arti in Naples

His father, Raffaele, was a wealthy landowner who could afford to send his son to study under Giovanni Battista Calò, who tutored other notable Barlettan painters including Vincenzo De Stefano, Giuseppe Gabbiani, and Raffaele Girondi. But, Raffaele was publicly outspoken in his opposition to the Bourbon monarchy and support for the unification of Italy, so was imprisoned for two years. Still, Giuseppe managed to gain admittance to the Reale Istituto di Belle Arti in Naples, a university-level art school founded by King Charles VII of Naples in 1752. Like his father, though, Giuseppe openly spoke his mind, resulting in his expulsion from the Institute in 1863 for insubordination.

• Father: Raffaele
• Opposed Bourbon Monarchy
• Imprisoned for two years

Rise to Prominence After gaining some visibility by exhibiting at the Salon, De Nittis returned to Italy where he felt free to paint from nature. He produced several views of Vesuvius and became a prominent figure in the Florentine artistic milieu. His friendship with Signorini solidified his position within the Macchiaioli movement, which championed plein air painting and capturing fleeting moments of light—a stylistic precursor to Impressionism.

• Salon Exhibitions
• Macchiaioli Movement
• Friendship with Telemaco Signorini

Impressionist Influences & Artistic Style De Nittis’s artistic style evolved significantly during his Parisian years, absorbing the techniques and aesthetics of Impressionism. He embraced loose brushstrokes, vibrant color palettes, and an emphasis on capturing atmospheric effects—characteristics that distinguished him from earlier academic painters. His paintings often depict landscapes bathed in sunlight, conveying a sense of immediacy and emotion. Notable works include *Races at Auteuil* (1881), *Portrait of Madame de Florian by Giovanni Boldini*, and *Landscape with Cows* (1855).

• Loose Brushstrokes
• Vibrant Color Palettes
• Emphasis on Atmospheric Effects
• Notable Paintings: Races at Auteuil, Portrait of Madame de Florian by Giovanni Boldini, Landscape with Cows

Later Career & Legacy De Nittis continued to produce paintings throughout his life, experimenting with pastel and etching techniques. He exhibited twelve paintings in the Exposition Universelle of 1878 and was awarded a gold medal—a testament to his enduring talent and recognition within the artistic community. In that same year he received the Légion d’honneur, acknowledging his contribution to Italian culture. His work can be found in numerous museums across Europe, including the Pinacoteca De Nittis in Barletta, Italy; Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna in Rome; Museo Civico Giovanni Fattori in Livorno. Giuseppe De Nittis’s legacy extends beyond his individual paintings—he profoundly influenced subsequent generations of artists and helped shape the trajectory of Italian Impressionism.

• Exhibition Universelle
• Légion d'honneur
• Museum Collections
• Influence on Later Artists

Concluding Remarks: De Nittis’s artistic journey represents a pivotal moment in Italian art history, marking the transition from academic tradition to Impressionistic innovation. His ability to capture the beauty of the natural world and convey emotion through color and light cemented his place as one of Italy's most celebrated painters.