Massimo Taparelli, Marquis d'Azeglio, was the son of one of the chief ministers of Victor Emmanuel, King of Sardinia. His father became the ambassador to Rome in 1814 and, although his father wanted him to join the army, he devoted himself to the arts, particularly painting and music. His unhapiness in the army, Goethe described him as 'une misère dorée', caused him to fall ill, and he was obliged to leave. He happily returned to Rome and took up painting once more, some of his paintings were exhibited at the Louvre and in Turin. In 1833 he published the first of his books, and became a champion of the liberal cause. He fought bravely for the King of Sardinia in the campaigns in Lombardy, and was wounded in the battle of Vincenza in 1848. He eventually served as Prime Minister under King Carlo Alberto of Sardinia