Silvestro Lega was born on 18 December 1826 in Italy. He was a painter who was involved in the Macchiaioli movement, which aimed to do away with academic traditions and favour more natural and spontaneous representations of light and colour.
Lega studied in Florence, where he joined other artists from the movement, such as Giovanni Fattori and Teofilo Patini. His work focused on rural life, landscapes and portraits, with a style that emphasised light and atmosphere.
He was known for his innovative technique of applying brushstrokes, which helped to create effects of light and shade in an expressive way. Lega died on 21 September 1895, and his works continue to be appreciated for their beauty and their role in the evolution of 19th century Italian painting.
