CESARE CRISTILLI
PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in Puglia in 1895, Cesare Cristilli was sent to an orphanage in Rome after his mother’s death and was later adopted by an Umbrian farming family. At 17, he enlisted in the Royal Guardia di Finanza and fought in numerous World War One battles. After a head wound, he was hospitalised in Modena, where he learned from a local about a photographer with the same surname living in Clusone: Giuseppe Cristilli. Intrigued by this information, after a brief exchange of letters, Cesare took the opportunity of a leave of absence to meet with Giuseppe, who turned out to be his older brother! Cesare took over Giuseppe’s photography business, studying and nurturing his passion. Cristilli became famous for his photographs capturing the everyday life of the city and its inhabitants. His unique sensitivity transformed his images into invaluable records, preserving first-hand accounts of events, stories, and traditions. His photographs are part of Clusone’s cultural heritage, housed in the MAT – Museo Arte Tempo collection.