Background
Francesco Paolo Michetti was born on October 2, 1851, in Tocco Casauria, Abruzzo, Italy. His father died, when he was a boy. Michetti was forced to work with a local artisan.
Francesco Paolo Michetti was born on October 2, 1851, in Tocco Casauria, Abruzzo, Italy. His father died, when he was a boy. Michetti was forced to work with a local artisan.
Francesco became interested in photography when he made his first trip to Paris, France in 1871. Known especially for his cartes de visite and the use of colortone (a technique that was later popularized), Michetti paid particular attention to documenting rural life in Italy. Becoming convinced that art was only an imitation of nature, Michetti abandoned painting and devoted the latter part of his career to producing straight photog- raphy. Two of his photographic essays include the amputees in Casalbordino (1895-1900) and the tuna slaughter in Acireale, about 1907.
The painter Manono Fortuny greatly influenced Michetti's work.
Francesco had three children, Elvira Michetti, Giorgio Michetti and Liberato.