Biography of Massimo d'Azeglio

Art, culture and civil passion

24 October 1798
15 January 1866
Massimo Taparelli, Marquis d'Azeglio was born in Turin on 24 October 1798. With family has lived in exile in Florence during the French occupation of Piedmont. Then, after the fall of Napoleon, he attended university courses in Turin. Undertake a military career, then as family tradition, path that leaves in 1820. He moved to Rome to study painting with the Flemish master Martin Verstappen. Since 1825 which Massimo d'Azeglio sentimental and patriotic themes began to focus.
In 1831 father dies: he moved to Milan where he met Alessandro Manzoni. D'Azeglio marries his daughter Giulia Manzoni which presents his first novel "the feast of St. Michael", and on whose subject had already painted a picture of romantic intonation. In the following years he devoted himself to writing; in 1833 he wrote "Ettore Fieramosca, or the challenge of Barletta" Niccolò de ' Lapi in 1841 "i.e. the Palleschi and the Piagnoni" and the unfinished "the Lombard League". D'Azeglio continues to paint patriotic and sentimental subjects who along with pleasures, characterize his entire output.
He began his political career in 1845 by publishing various brochures anti-Austrian riots ("latest cases of Romagna" is his most famous pamphlet). Actively participates in 1848 and after days of Novara, is called by Vittorio Emanuele II to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, holding from 1849 to 1852. His successor will be. Ceded the presidency runs from active political life; However the Crimean expedition supports and in 1860 he was appointed Governor of Milan. His last years will be dedicated to his autobiography "my memories". Massimo d'Azeglio dies in Turin on 15 January 1866.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.