A Life in Rome
Born in Pontefract, United Kingdom, Charles Coleman was a British painter who specialized in landscapes and animals. He first traveled to Rome in 1831 to study the works of Raphael and Michelangelo, eventually becoming a permanent resident of the city in 1835. During his time in Rome, he married Fortunata Segadori, a well-known Roman model. The couple had eight children, including two sons, Enrico and Francesco, both of whom were also painters. Coleman established a studio at 33 via Margutta, potentially to accommodate his sons' artistic pursuits.
Coleman was a proponent of observing nature directly, holding a dismissive view toward academic teaching. His artistic legacy includes:
He is recognized as the founder of the Campagna Romana school of painting in Italy and was an influence on the painter Nino Costa. Coleman died in Rome in 1874.
