The attack on the Madonna Scoperta (The Battle of Montebello) 1868

Giovanni Fattori painted this small oil on panel, The attack on the Madonna Scoperta, its alternative title being The Battle of Montebello. It depicts a scene from the Second Italian War of Independence. Painted sometime in the mid-nineteenth century, during a period of intense nationalism, this work exemplifies the shifting landscape of artistic expression. Fattori challenges traditional heroic depictions of warfare. Instead of glorifying military triumph, he captures the chaotic, visceral reality of battle. We see a scene of disarray, with soldiers engaged in fierce combat amidst smoke and confusion. Fattori’s focus on the immediacy of the moment reflects a broader cultural shift towards realism. Understanding Fattori's art necessitates delving into the social and political context of 19th-century Italy. By consulting historical archives, military records, and personal accounts, the historian can reconstruct the complex web of forces that shaped Fattori's vision, emphasizing the ever-evolving meaning of art depending on social and institutional context.