In 1864 Mose Bianchi exhibited La Vigilia della sagra in the annual exhibition in Brerea where it was immediately lauded as "di già matura magistero." Three years later, it was shown to an equally receptive audience in Paris at the International Exhibition of 1867. Critics in both cities praised Bianchi's accurate observation of the details of a narrative moment: naturalistic depiction of expression, pose, character and composition. For Bianchi, it represented a stylistic break from the type of work he had painted as a student at the Academie in the years prior to 1864. For him La Vigilia della sagra indicated a growing interest in the type of picture termed "pittura de genre" with its emphasis on annecdotal tales. After its exhibition, La Vigilia della sagra was purchased by the Minister of Public Education. It was then donated to the Academia and later passed on to the Pinoteca di Brera.

As one of his most important paintings, Bianchi did other versions of the picture. Our composition differs slightly in size from the Pinoteca picture and Dott. Paolo Biscottini has suggested that our picture can be loosely dated around the 1864 date although it is likely that Bianchi worked on it at different times, returning to it between working on other compositions.

We are grateful to Dott. Paolo Biscottini for his assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.