Pietro Micca

Huge numbers of pictures were made to illustrate the legendary Piedmontese artilleryman, who sacrificed his life to prevent the French from entering the city during the siege of Turin in 1706. Viewed as an example of allegiance to the monarch during the reign of Charles Albert, the exploit of Pietro Micca acquired a more explicitly patriotic significance during the Risorgimento period. Here Gastaldi provides an interpretation with moralistic and ideal overtones, providing evidence of a confident academic style in line with that of France. This work earned Gastaldi the Breme award and an appointment as Professor of Painting at the Accademia Albertina in Turin.