After moving to Pisa, at a young age, Umberto Vittorini studied decorative art at the Industrial Technical Institute until 1907, then continuing his studies at the Art Institute of Lucca. At just sixteen he was a pupil of the well-known painter Edoardo Gordigiani and made his debut in 1910 with some delicate portraits, characterized by a rich brushstroke and penetrating psychological investigation. During the First World War, from 1915 to 1918, he served in the military on the front, creating drawings to document the war experience. In 1928 he moved to Milan, where the following year he held a personal exhibition at the Scopinich Gallery and in 1930 he obtained the chair of painting at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts. Vittorini exhibited in various events at a national and international level, including the Roman Secessions, the Venice Biennale and the Roman Quadrennials. he received numerous prizes and recognitions over the of his career, including the St. Vincent prize, the Roma prize, the Desio prize, the Breno prize and the national prizes Castelletto Ticino, Torre and Busseto. He also created some etchings, although they are little known because they were produced in very few copies.