The Ciociare by Cassioli and Visconti

Both Amos Cassioli and Angelo Visconti, upon arriving in Rome, were captivated by the portraits of the Roman “ciociare” (peasant women from the Ciociaria region), a highly popular subject in the 19th century. Artists from around the world saw in these women a beauty reminiscent of the perfection of Greek statues, in stark contrast to faces "tainted" by modernity. This room displays some ciociare by Visconti, who follows the teachings of Raphael, and by Cassioli. Cassioli aims for a strong psychological characterization, removing decorative details in favor of broad brushstrokes and chiaroscuro. In doing so, he departs from the purist principles taught by his mentor Luigi Mussini, drawing closer to the style of young French artists he met in Rome, such as Henner, Bonnat, and Degas.