THE VILLAFRANCA BULLETIN, c. 1859
Watercolor on paper applied on cardboard
19.2 x 26.9 cm
Private collection
The painter in one of his letters describes the first of the three works as follows: “ It is July 14, 1859, when the news of the peace of Villafranca came to Milan by surprise; I want to reach the impression it made in the people and not already the official act […] of workers, French and Italian soldiers and volunteers, gentlemen and the poor of all sexes “collected outside a tavern on the outskirts of Milan.
The armistice was signed at Villafranca on 6 July 1859 between France, allied to Piedmont, and Austria. This brought an end to the second Italian war of independence permitting the annexation of Lombardy to the Kingdom of Savoy through the agency of France, though Veneto remained in the Austrian Empire. Signed unilaterally by Napoleon III, the armistice was received with great indignation in Italy, especially by those who like Induno had personally taken part in the anti-Austrian uprisings and now saw their hopes of national unity dashed. More on this painting
Domenico Induno (14 May 1815–5 November 1878) was an Italian painter, primarily of genre and historical scenes. His younger brother, Gerolamo, also became a well-known artist and they often worked together…
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Zaidan Gallery 