(Milan 1827–1890) The Defence and Capitulation of Vascello, circa 1849, signed G. Induno, oil on canvas, 58 x 91.5 cm, framed, (W)

Provenance: Galleria Geri, Milan Letter of authentication issued by Enrico Somarè, Maurizio Marini and a letter of authentication based on a photo by Enrico Piceni dated 1980 available. An extract from the letter of authentication issued by Enrico Piceni: “il dipinto riprodotto (...) venne eseguito verso la fine di giugno del 1849 in occasione della resa del Vascello. Il quadro raffigura la rovina di Villa Spada con diversi ufficiali garibaldini tra cui Luciano Manara, Goffredo Mameli ed il pittore in armi sugli spalti. Questo quadro si presume opera dal vero, tanto che l’Induno ne eseguì uno con misure più grandi e con diverse varianti ma lo stesso soggetto, il quale, si trova nella raccolta Reale del Palazzo del Quirinale.” “The work shown (...) was painted at the end of June 1849 during the capitulation of Vascello. The painting shows the ruins of the Villa Spada and several of Garibaldi’s officers including Luciano Manara, Goffredo Mameli and the painter himself, armed and positioned on the walls. We can assume that this painting is a realistic depiction of events, not only because Induno painted at least one other larger scale version of the same theme, but with variations, which hangs in the Raccolta Reale in the Palazzo del Quirinale.” Gerolamo Induno Brother of Domenico. Studied in Milan at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera. He fought in 1848 as a soldier in Milan and the Lombardy. In 1849 he took part in the defence of Rome and was severely wounded during the battle around the Porta S. Pancrazio. After recovering he concentrated on genre and portrait painting under the guidance of his brother. During the period 1854 to 1855 he joined the campaign in the Crimea. After his return he lived in Milan and dedicated himself solely to his art. He turned his wartime experiences and memories of the Levant into a series of paintings with military and patriotic themes which made him popular during the years of the Risorgimento.