A fond farewell (1845) Art Print | Carlo Bossoli

Carlo Bossoli was a Swiss-born Italian painter, lithographer, and illustrator best known for his vivid depictions of historical events, landscapes, and architectural views, particularly those documenting 19th-century Italy and Eastern Europe. Born in Lugano, Switzerland, he moved to Odessa as a child, where he began his artistic career. He later studied in Italy and traveled extensively across Europe, including Crimea, France, and England.

Bossoli gained fame for his dramatic and atmospheric lithographs, especially during the Crimean War, capturing battle scenes, fortresses, and military movements with great precision and romantic flair. His works combined documentary accuracy with an almost cinematic sense of composition and lighting.

A fervent supporter of Italian unification, Bossoli also created a celebrated series of paintings and prints portraying key events and figures of the Risorgimento. His detailed and accessible visuals made history tangible for the public, and he became one of the most widely published and respected visual chroniclers of his time.

Today, Bossoli’s artworks are valued both for their artistic merit and their historical significance.