The restoration 

The Italian Risorgimento began with Napoleon's occupation, which brought with it a political renewal. The lithograph by the French artist Jean Baptiste Isabey bears witness to one of the most significant political events of the 1814th century: the Congress of Vienna, which was held in the capital of 'Habsburg Empire from November XNUMX to June of the following year. Thus began what is called the age of the Restoration: the political borders of the European states were redrawn, restoring the Ancien Regime and returning the throne to the legitimate sovereigns ousted by Napoleon.

Austria returned to govern Lombardy-Veneto, where, however, new ideals of independence and nationality were spreading despite severe censorship and rigid police control. The heavy tax burden, compulsory military service and protectionism exasperated the opposition against Austria and many conspirators were tortured and imprisoned in the Spielberg fortress, in southern Moravia, as evidenced by the sentencing manifesto of Silvio Pellico and other patriots Italians.

Their secret action is cleverly disguised by Andrea Appiani Jr. in the canvas known today as "The Conspirator", defined at the time, in a less compromising way, as "young Italian emigrant". In those same years Mazzini and Garibaldi, two of the founding fathers of the homeland, began their fervent political activity, laying the foundations of the future united and independent Italy. The painter Italo Nunes Vais captured a crucial moment in Garibaldi's life: the meeting in a tavern in Taganrog, Crimea, with the members of Giovine Italia, which he joined upon his return.