From the Perspective of 19th-Century Art History: Diego Martelli, the Macchiaioli, and Impressionism as Precursors to European Unification

From the mid-19th century, the Caffè Michelangiolo in Florence became a gathering place for a group of artists seeking to explore new directions in art. These meetings were marked by intense artistic debates, attracting not only young Italian artists of the time but also figures from Paris, including Edgar Degas. This interaction facilitated an exchange of artistic ideas and objectives between Italy and France. The artists who convened at the Caffè Michelangiolo became known as the Macchiaioli. Among them, the theorist Diego Martelli played a crucial role in bridging the gap between his group and the Impressionists in Paris. Through four visits to Paris, Martelli examined the similarities and differences between the Macchiaioli and the French Impressionists. Notably, he introduced Camille Pissarro’s works to Florence, marking the arrival of Impressionist art in Italy for the first time. While Impressionism and the Macchiaioli share both similarities and differences in their approaches, it is essential to consider the business-oriented aspects of Impressionism when understanding why it emerged as a representative global movement in painting during its time.