The painting of Italian Domenico Purificati, as well as his life, was marked by a strong love of his land. Initially, in addition to painting, he studied law. In his early career he joined the painting movement called “Roman School,” which was started by many important Italian artists. A multifaceted artist, Purificato was editor of the magazine CINEMA from 1940-43, and was one of the earliest critics of the regime. After the war, he was the protagonist of neo-realism in Roma, inspired by subjects taken from reality. He immortalized common people in his paintings, figures and rustic scenes of everyday life, with soft colors and pastels. He also dealt with fiction, non-fiction, theater, and television and in 1972 became director of the Brera Academy in Milan. With his entry, the painting Ciclisti in riposo (Resting Cyclists), he previously participated successfully in the third exhibition of “Art and Sport”.