The Livorno painter Giovanni Fattori realizes the undated painting "Mrs. Martelli in Castiglioncello", after he found solace in the estate of the Florentine art critic Diego Martelli in Castiglioncello at the age of 42 following the loss of his first wife in March 1867, where the group of “Macchiaioli” painters had already met for some time to refine research on light and colors given by “spots”. This and the subsequent stays of Fattori on the estate until 1875 contributed to developing his painting with “spots” of color, the attention to the landscape studied from life and the outdoor portrait.

Lying on a chair, similar to that of the portrait made by Fattori Diego Martelli in Castiglioncello (private collection), Teresa Fabbrini, former prostitute, then historical companion of the Florentine art critic, rests in the cool of the holm oaks. The wide shot also allows you to represent the typical landscape of the area, with the pine forest in the background, and to play on the contrast between lights and shadows. The painting, built with “spots” of color placed side by side, was made during one of his stays in Castiglioncello between 1867 and 1875, probably in 1867, due to its proximity to the portrait of Diego Martelli, attributed by critics to that year.