Antonio Mancini (1852-1930) was one of the most important Italian painters of the 19th century. His talent was recognised early on by the Dutch painter Hendrik Willem Mesdag (1831-1915) who, together with his wife Sientje, bought many expressive paintings and drawings by the eccentric Italian. Mancini delighted in experimenting and incorporated fragments of glistening glass or other objects in his paint. The Mesdag Collection still owns fifteen works by Mancini. This book sheds light on his art and his turbulent life. Text in English and Dutch.