Tommaso Cuccioni - St. Jean de Lateran, Rom - 2012.438 - Cleveland Museum of Art

Tommaso Cuccioni began his career as a painter, but was drawn to the new art of photography when it was introduced in Italy in the 1830s. He quickly became one of the most accomplished photographers of his time, and his work was sought after by both private collectors and public institutions. Cuccioni's photographs are characterised by their technical excellence and attention to detail. He was particularly adept at capturing the beauty of landscapes, and his images of the Italian countryside are among his most famous works. In addition to his work as a photographer, Cuccioni was also an important figure in the development of photographic technology. He experimented with different types of cameras and lenses, and his innovations helped to advance the field of photography. Tommaso Cuccioni died in 1864, but his legacy as one of Italy's most important early photographers lives on. His work continues to be celebrated for its technical excellence and artistic beauty, and he is remembered as a pioneer of the art of photography.