In the second part of the 1800s, French painting experienced one of its moments of true glory, in that this was the period that saw the birth of impressionism. The works of these artists were among the most important in the world of that time. But also Italian art experienced a moment of glory at that time, although the impact was not as vast as that of the impressionists.

This was mostly because the Italian school was of a local regional nature, limited specifically to the region of Tuscany. This school of art is that of the “Macchiaioli”, so named because of its focusing on the environment and the landscape, rather than being concerned with detailed precision in the painting of persons, who especially if seen at a distance were.