Raffaello Sernesi (Florence, 1838 – Bolzano, 1866)

Born in Florence on December 29, 1838, Raffaello Sernesi studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, receiving a traditional academic education.

In the 1860s, he joined the Macchiaioli group, frequenting the Caffè Michelangiolo and participating in plein air painting sessions with artists such as Lega, Signorini, Borrani, and Abbati.

His painting is characterized by a lyrical and synthetic vision of the Tuscan landscape, with particular attention to light and compositional structure.

Sernesi is considered one of the most poetic among the Macchiaioli, able to merge formal rigor with romantic sensitivity.

In 1866, he volunteered for the Third War of Independence. Wounded in battle at Cimego, he was taken prisoner.

He died shortly after in Bolzano.

Photo UniCredit Group (Sebastiano Pellion di Persano)