Albano Lugli

He was the eldest of nine children born to Venanzio Lugli and Quiteria née Govi, a family of modest means, and began his training at the municipal drawing school in Carpi.

In 1860, he performed his first public commission; painting the oval music hall at the Municipal Theater [it] of Carpi, in a style reminiscent of the Renaissance master Correggio.

There, he studied with Enrico Pollastrini, professor at the Academy of Fine Arts, who stressed copying the Old Masters to develop skill.

[1] This led to his adopting a style known as "pittura di macchia" (stain painting), practiced by a group called the Macchiaioli, involving broad and thick brushstrokes.

Shortly after, he received another commission; creating the Proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception in the left apse of the transept at the Church of San Nicolò [it].