VINEA, Francesco - b. 1845 Forli, d. 1902 Firenze

Italian genre painter. He received his formal training at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence under French historical painter Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier and with Enrico Pollastrini (1817-1876). After completing his studies, Vinea opened his studio in Florence.

He devoted himself to the genre painting which won him fame among his contemporaries. He also painted female nudes, love scenes, interiors, landscapes, seascapes, rustic themes.

He became a regular exhibitor at the Salons in Paris, the galleries in Italy and London.

Michelangelo Reads his Poetry in the House of Aldovrandi

This academic costume scene illustrates a moment of history revisited: the great Renaissance artist Michelangelo, who was also an exquisite author of sonnets, reads aloud one of his poems among a circle of friends. A student of the Florence Academy, Vinea specialized in such interior scenes and gallant conversation pieces, and was critical of the more progressive Macchiaioli artists, who showed strong interest in realistic scenes of everyday life.