Ruggero Panerai

Born to a humble family, he began studies in 1877 at the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence, first studying ornament, then focusing on figure painting, and graduating in 1881.

He specialized in painting military themes and the daily life of peasants in the Maremma.

In 1883 he won a contest at the Florentine academy to win a stipend of 1000 lire.

His first major painting, titled The Guado, was exhibited at Venice in 1887, and acquired by the Galleria moderna of Rome.

Again in 1883, he won the Fumagalli competition in Milan a canvas titled: The cavallo malato, depicting a rural scene in the Maremma of Tuscany.