Onorato Carlandi, Villa Borghese, 1886

Onorato Carlandi (Rome, 1848 – Rome, 1939)

Born in Rome in May 1848, Onorato Carlandi began his artistic training at the Collegio Romano. Encouraged by his mother to pursue his artistic calling, he enrolled at the Accademia di San Luca.

At a young age, in 1866, he joined a military campaign organised by Garibaldi to invade Trentino. After returning to Rome, his mother urged him to continue his studies away from the city, in order to avoid involvement in republican uprisings.

He chose to attend the Accademia di Belle Arti in Naples, where he studied from 1867 until 1870, when he returned to Rome with the Italian troops.

In 1871, he showcased works created in Naples at the International Artistic Exhibition in Rome, garnering moderate success. That same year, he participated in an exhibition organised by the Society of amateur and connoisseurs of Fine Arts in Rome, exploring historical and patriotic themes while gradually shifting towards verismo in both subject matter and style.

Carlandi also worked as a scenographer for the Politeama Theatre in Rome, which inspired him to study his subjects directly from real life.

In 1876, he was among the founders of Rome’s Society of watercolourists. The following year, he exhibited at Via del Babuino 139, hosted by Dovizielli, as well as at the National Exhibition in Naples.

In 1880, he moved to London, where he studied landscape painting and the watercolours of Peter de Wint. From 1882 to 1889, he exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy of Arts.

Dividing his time between London and Rome, Carlandi maintained connections with “verismo” circles in both the city and the Roman countryside.

In 1886, he co-founded the “In Arte Libertas” Society, which organised numerous exhibitions in Rome, where he presented his work until 1897. He also participated in various national shows; in 1902, he presented fifty-three watercolours to the Society of amateur and connoisseurs of Fine Arts in Rome.