Room 3: The Triennial Competitions Winners

The winning paintings from the Triennial Competitions at the Sienese Institute represent the debut works of the most renowned 19th-century Sienese painters. These pieces, with themes inspired by religion and history, reflect the romantic and purist orientation of Director Mussini. Despite their varied backgrounds, these artists demonstrated the Institute’s dynamic role in the figurative culture of the time. Among them, Luigi Boschi, after studying in Rome, made his mark in Siena by winning in 1842. Giacomo Conti, originally from Messina, moved to Florence, where he pursued painting and restoration. Cristiano Banti contributed to the renewal of painting with the Macchiaioli movement, while Cesare Maccari became a celebrated fresco artist.