The Album Biografico di Roma (Rome Biographical Album) published in 1875 describes the beginning of Attilio Simonetti’s life and artistic activities, including his training at the Accademia di San Luca and Giggi’s Nude School in Via Margutta.

It was there that, at the age of fifteen, he met the painter Mariano Fortuny y Marsal, five years older than himself.  One of the most representative artists of the nineteenth century, the Catalan painter took Attilio as his only pupil and shared his studio with him.  This meeting, and the fraternal friendship that developed out of it, was to significantly influence his life, both as an artist and as a professional dealer.

Simonetti learned much from his maestro, whilst always maintaining his own individuality.  It was with him that he came into contact with Neapolitan painters, ranging from Morelli to De Nittis.  He subsequently came to know Adolphe Goupil, the most important French dealer at that time, and his name began to develop an international market.  Travelling in Europe, he met the greatest artists of the day and acquired an important clientele, ranging from the Rothschilds to Prince Umberto of Savoy, whilst exhibiting in Paris and the United States.

When he began to devote himself more deeply to his other passion of collecting and selling antique art in the 1880s, his painting – a far cry from the demands of the market – became freer, allowing him to create some of his best works.