Filippo Palizzi

Filippo Palizzi (16 June 1818, Vasto – 11 September 1899, Naples) was an Italian painter, known for his rural genre scenes with animals; mostly goats.

He was the fifth of thirteen children born to Antonio Palizzi, a lawyer, and his wife Doralice née Del Greco, an amateur musician.

He began his studies with the professor of landscape painting, Gabriele Smargiassi, but they soon had a falling out, with major disagreements about not only the nature of art, but politics as well.

Five years later, Francesco De Sanctis, the Minister of Public Education, convinced him to become President of the Academy and bring its teaching methods up to date.

He held that position until 1891, when the new Minister of Education, Pasquale Villari, talked him into reassuming the office of Academy President for five years.