The Belle Époque: Art and Modernity in the Paris of Boldini and De Nittis
From January to June 2025, Palazzo Martinengo, in Brescia, Italy, will host an exhibition dedicated to the Belle Époque, a period of extraordinary artistic and cultural vibrancy that transformed Paris into the world capital of art, elegance, and innovation. Curated by Francesca Dini and Davide Dotti, the exhibition will feature over 100 works by Italian artists who lived and worked in the Ville Lumière, including Giovanni Boldini, Giuseppe De Nittis, Federico Zandomeneghi, Vittorio Corcos, and Antonio Mancini.
LEFT: Giovanni Boldini, Berthe Goes Out for a Walk, Private Collection; RIGHT: Giovanni Boldini, Lady at the Piano, Private Collection.
The Belle Époque and the Myth of Paris
The Belle Époque (circa 1871-1914) was an era marked by optimism, technological progress, and economic prosperity, signifying the triumph of the bourgeoisie and the consolidation of Paris as the cultural epicenter of Europe. The city became a hub of artistic and intellectual innovation, with the opening of new theaters, café chantants, department stores, and art galleries.
Italian artists, captivated by the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the French capital, found in Paris an inspiring environment where they could engage with avant-garde painting and the leading collectors of the time. The Universal Exhibitions played a crucial role in spreading the myth of Paris, making it an irresistible destination for painters seeking success and international recognition.
The Artists on Display
Giovanni Boldini (1842-1931)
Boldini was born in Ferrara and moved to Paris in 1871, where he became one of the most celebrated portraitists of the Belle Époque. His style, characterized by rapid and fluid brushstrokes, captured the dynamism and elegance of aristocratic and bourgeois society. Boldini was friends with many writers and artists of the time and succeeded in immortalizing female beauty with an unmistakable sensuality. “Portrait of a Lady in White” is one of his masterpieces, exemplifying his mastery in depicting movement and light.
LEFT: Giovanni Boldini, Portrait of Princess Radziwiłł, Private Collection; RIGHT: Giovanni Boldini, Portrait of a Lady in White, Florence, Uffizi Galleries
Giuseppe De Nittis (1846-1884)
Originally from Barletta, De Nittis studied in Naples before moving to Paris, where he came into contact with the Impressionists and art dealer Adolphe Goupil. His paintings, characterized by great attention to atmospheric details and light, depict scenes of modern Parisian life, such as bustling streets and boulevards. “On the Bench at the Champs-Élysées” is an example of his extraordinary ability to capture fleeting moments with refined pictorial execution.
 Giuseppe De Nittis, On the Bench at the Champs-Élysées, Private Collection
Federico Zandomeneghi (1841-1917)
Born in Venice, Zandomeneghi moved to Paris in 1874, where he befriended Edgar Degas and participated in Impressionist exhibitions. His works, strongly influenced by Degas and Renoir, focus on the female figure and bourgeois daily life. His style is distinguished by delicate use of color and a soft, blurred touch. The painting “At the Café Nouvelle Athènes” showcases his ability to sensitively depict Parisian interiors and intimate atmospheres.
LEFT: Federico Zandomeneghi, At the Café Nouvelle Athènes, Private Collection; RIGHT: Federico Zandomeneghi, The Tea, Private Collection.
Vittorio Corcos (1859-1933)
Originally from Livorno, Corcos was a prominent portraitist of his time. His extraordinarily realistic painting technique allowed him to receive significant commissions from members of the Parisian high bourgeoisie. His paintings depict young women in contemplative and seductive poses, with meticulous attention to the details of their clothing and accessories. His work is distinguished by his ability to capture the psychological introspection of his subjects.
LEFT: Vittorio Matteo Corcos, The Interesting Reading, Private Collection; RIGHT: Vittorio Matteo Corcos, The Governesses at the Champs-Élysées, Private Collection
Antonio Mancini (1852-1930)
Born in Rome, Mancini was an innovative and experimental painter, developing a textured and vibrant painting technique. In Paris, he connected with important collectors and artists but remained deeply committed to his personal artistic vision. His dense and luminous brushstrokes and bold use of color made him a unique figure in the Belle Époque art scene.
An Immersive Exhibition Experience
The exhibition will be divided into nine sections, offering a comprehensive overview of Italian artistic production in Paris during the Belle Époque. In addition to paintings, visitors will find period women's dresses from the most prestigious Haute Couture Maisons, advertising posters (affiches) by renowned illustrators such as Cappiello, Dudovich, and Metlicovitz, which capture the vibrancy of Parisian nightlife, and artistic glassware by Emile Gallé and the Daum brothers, exquisite examples of the refined design of the era.
 LEFT: Federico Zandomeneghi, Girl with Flowers, Mantua, Palazzo Te; RIGHT: Antonio Mancini, Saltimbanco with Guitar, Private Collection;
The exhibition "The Belle Époque: Art in the Paris of Boldini and De Nittis" is not just a journey through Italian painting of the era but an opportunity to immerse oneself in the vibrant cultural atmosphere of Paris between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. An unmissable event to understand the timeless charm of the city and the fundamental role these Italian artists played in shaping modern painting.
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