Francesco Vinea

Francesco Vinea (1845 – 1902) was an Italian painter, known painting Genre style subjects in period costume.

He started studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence but gave up due to poverty. He had various jobs including working as a designer of illustrated magazines and working for a photographer. He managed to return to Florence and ended up studying under Enrico Pollastrini.

He preferred ‘Genre’ subjects – everyday scenes with subjects dressed in elegant 18th century period costumes in ornamented interiors.

The paintings were popular in France and England and he was able to make a comfortable living. He apparently enjoyed collecting exotic items as well as an eclectic mix of furniture and decorative items, many of which found their way into his paintings.