Giuseppe Abbati

Giuseppe Abbati was one of the Macchiaioli, the Italian painters who built pictures from patches of light and shade. He is known for quiet cloisters, church interiors and small, sunlit landscapes, often seen through a dark doorway.

He was born in Naples, the son of a painter of architectural interiors. He fought with Garibaldi in 1860 and lost his right eye. In Florence he met the Macchiaioli at the Caffè Michelangiolo, and painted with them at Castiglioncello, the estate of the critic Diego Martelli. He died at 32.

Cloister and Country Road with Cypresses show his work. Look at the bold contrast between light and shadow.