Lombard sculptor (19^th century)

The 19^th century in Lombardy was a period of profound social, political, and artistic revolution.

It began with the conflict between Napoleon and the Austrians for the control of the region. It continued with the anti-Habsburg uprisings of the Risorgimento. And finally, it saw the birth of a unified Italy.

The entire region emerged as a hub of modernity, showing the early signs of an industrial society.

After the Napoleonic era, which was defined by the supremacy of Neoclassicism, Milan quickly became the cultural centre of its times, attracting both artists and intellectuals.

Throughout the century, the city’s artistic scene gave rise to numerous expressions, from the romantic and historical painting of Hayez to Manzoni’s literary Romanticism, from the European avant-garde of the Scapigliatura to, just a few years later, early hints of Impressionism.

Photo UniCredit Group (Sebastiano Pellion di Persano)