Museum of Island History

Temporary Exhibition Gallery
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This oil painting of Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807 - 1882) was commissioned by Charles Seely, who
invited the Italian hero to England in 1864.

Attilio Baccani was an Italian portrait painter born in Rome. He is recorded working in London
from 1859 until 1890 and exhibited extensively up to 1882.

The painting was donated to the Isle of Wight Heritage Service in 2009 by the daughters of
Louis and Julia Denaro.

Louis and Julia bought the Old Coach House at Brook House in 1958. It was then that they
discovered the painting of Garibaldi in the greenhouse of the walled garden.

The painting has been professionally restored and is now on display in the Temporary
Exhibition Gallery.

Charles Seely (1803-1887) was a strong supporter of the unification of Italy. In 1864 he
invited Giuseppe Garibaldi to England. It was thought Garibaldi would be mobbed by adoring
crowds in London so Seely took him to stay at his Isle of Wight home, Brooke House.

Garibaldi arrived at Cowes on Monday, 4 April 1864. An estimated crowd of 2000 welcomed
him to streets decorated with flags and banners. The shipbuilders J.S. White gave their
workers the afternoon off. The crowds escorted Garibaldi all of the 15 miles to Brooke House.

The Isle of Wight Observer of 9 April 1864 reported
"Cowes claims the honour of being the first spot in the Isle of Wight trod by the greatest
man who ever set foot on our soil."





While at Brooke House, Garibaldi planted an oak tree in the garden; the family called it the
'Tree of Liberty'. He planted a Wellingtonia tree at Farringford, the home of the poet Alfred
Tennyson. Tennyson’s wife, Emily, recorded that she heard "...the sounds of welcome as
Garibaldi passed thro’ the village to Farringford. People on foot and on horseback and in
carriages had waited at our gate for two hours for him".

Tennyson took Garibaldi to his study and advised him not to discuss politics in England. They
recited poetry to each other, Garibaldi repeating Italian verses of which Tennyson
understood not a word.

While at Farringford Garibaldi was accosted by a woman on her knees. This was the
photographer Julia Margaret Cameron (1815-1879) who wanted him to sit for a photograph.
Holding her black, chemical stained hands up to him, he thought she was a well dressed
beggar. She is reputed to have said "this is not dirt but art!"

On Thursday 7 April Garibaldi’s carriages passed through the town of Newport. The streets
were decorated with flags and streamers and a banner with "Viva Garibaldi" spanned the High
Street. To the cheers of thousands he arrived at the Guildhall and was greeted by the mayor,
Mr. W.B. Mew. He then took his place on a purpose built platform where he expressed his
gratitude for the warm welcome.

The following Monday, 11 April, Garibaldi left Brooke House and travelled to London.