Is the painting signed?
QUA-dro — two syllables; 'qu' is /kw/ as in 'quadrant'. Stress on the first syllable.
Use this when looking at paintings. A signature (firma) dramatically increases a painting's value and allows attribution. Always check both front and back of a canvas.
'Firmato' (signed) is the past participle of firmare. Paintings are often signed on the front (in basso a destra — bottom right is traditional) or on the back of the canvas. Some artists signed only the back. Signatures should be verified against known examples — many antique market paintings carry false signatures.
C'è qualcosa scritto sul retro?
Is there anything written on the back?
The back of a canvas often carries labels, stamps, and inscriptions that help with attribution
Sa di chi è questo dipinto?
Do you know whose painting this is?
Asking for attribution — the seller may or may not know
Sembra una copia o un originale?
Does it seem like a copy or an original?
Copies of famous works are common — not worthless but far less valuable than originals
The Macchiaioli were Italy's 19th-century Impressionist-adjacent movement, based in Tuscany. Giovanni Fattori, Silvestro Lega, and Telemaco Signorini are the most famous. Their works appear regularly in Italian antique markets — but so do fakes. A genuine Fattori can be worth €50,000–500,000; a fake is worth nothing legally.