Following my successful portrait exhibition Soldiery (British Army Portraits). I embarked on a new project documenting the Italian Army. Entitled Soldati della Repubblica, I spent the summer of 2018 in Italy capturing portraits of a series of uniquely historical and diverse regiments of the Esercito Italiano.

In 1836, the Piedmontese Army (later to become the Sardinian and then the core of the Royal Italian army) adopted light infantry formations similar to the French chasseurs and Austrian jägers.

These Bersaglieri, or ”sharpshooters,” wore distinctive black uniforms with brimmed hats, trailing cock’s feathers. The formation was created by Alfonso del la Marmora.

They were trained to a high physical and marksmanship standard, and like the French chasseurs that inspired their creation, a level of independence and initiative was encouraged so they could operate in looser formations where command control was not so immediate. 

Bersaglieri Regiments have served with Distinction for nearly two hundred years. During my Soldati Della Republlica project I had the honour of working with both 1º Reggimento Bersaglieri in Cosenza and 6º Reggimento Bersaglieri in Trapani.

Still following the unique regimental traditions and distinctive uniforms with brimmed hats, trailing cock’s feathers. It was a real treat to be invited to work with both regiments.

You can view these portraits and more in the Book now available see below details to order a copy.

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