Alfa Romeo is an Italian motor-car manufacturer. The company was founded in 1906 as 'Societa Italiana Automobili Darracq' with the aim of manufacturing low cost Darracq motor cars. That company quickly ran into difficulties when the once booming car market began to falter. In 1910 the Darracq factory that had been built in the Portello district of Milan was sold to a group of Italian car enthusiasts who called themselves 'Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili' (ALFA). Success was to be short lived, because the company went into liquidation in 1915, and was then taken over by an engineer and entrepreneur called Nicola Romeo. After the Great War the company changed its name to 'Societa Anonima Ing. NicolaRomeo & Co.' having taken over several smaller firms: Officine Meccaniche di Saronno, Officine Meccaniche Tabanelli of Rome and Officine Ferroviarie Meridionali of Naples. Formally constituted by the notary, Federico Guasti, in Milan on February the 3rd 1918, the new company proclaimed its purpose to be 'the
construction and management of engineering, steel, agricultural, mining, chemical and quarrying companies, with particular emphasis on military, aviation, marine and agricultural equipment, internal combustion engines for all possible applications: aeroplanes, automobiles, locomotive and other wheeled transport.' Today Alfa Romeo is known for its range of sporty motor-cars. Research Alfa Romeo
Securite is an explosive compound of ammonium nitrate and oxalate, with nitro- or di-nitro-benzene adapted for use in fiery mines as when exploded it is not liable to ignite fire-damp. Research Securite
The Bergamasca (Bergamasker, Gigante diBergamo, Bergamacia) is a breed of sheep found in the Lombardy region of Italy. It is the basic breed of the Lop-eared Alpine group and is polled. It is coarse woolled meat breed. The
Bergamasca is the foundation of the other Lop-eared Alpine breeds and of Fabrianese, Pavullese, Perugian Lowland and Zakynthos. Research Bergamasca
The Gentile di Puglia (Apulian Merino, Merino di Puglia, Improved Apulian, Italian Merino, Merino d' Italia, Merina Gentile) is a fine woolled breed of sheep from southern Italy. Development of this breed began in the 15th century but the primary improvement was from the 18th century onward. The breed was developed from Spanish Merino crossed with the local breeds. Saxony and Rambouillet breed was introduced during the 19th century. Research Gentile di Puglia
Ada Negri was an Italian poet. She was born in 1870 and died in 1945. Her first book of verses, 'Fatalita/Destiny', was published in 1892 and her success was rapid. Her early poetry was that of an authentic daughter of the people, and was filled with a sense of revolt. The later work lost some of its spontaneity and became more classical in form although her themes were still humanitarian and feminist. Among her books of poems are 'Tempeste' published in 1895, 'Maternita' published in 1904, 'Esilio' published in 1914, 'Il libro diMara' published in 1919, 'I canti dell'isola' published in 1925, and 'Vespertina' published in 1931. In the novel 'Stella Mattutina' published in 1921 she gave a lyrical description in poetic prose of her childhood. Research Ada Negri
Agostino Di Duccio was an Italian sculptor. He was born in 1418 at Florence and died in 1481. He was an original sculptor, who unlike the other 15th century Florentine sculptors did not follow the work of either Donatello or Ghiberti. Among his early works are reliefs at Moderna Cathedral. Research Agostino Di Duccio
Andrea Appiani was an Italian painter. He was born in 1754 at Milan and died in 1817. As a fresco-painter he excelled every contemporary painter in Italy. He displayed his skill particularly in the cupola of Santa Mariadi S. Celso at Milan, and in the paintings representing the legend of Cupid and Psyche, prepared for the walls and ceiling of the villa of the Archduke Ferdinand at Monza in 1795. Napoleon appointed him royal court painter, and portraits of almost the whole of the imperial family were painted by him. Research Andrea Appiani
Andrea Del Sarto (Andrea D'Agnolo) was a Florentine artist born in 1487, he died in 1531 of the plague. He was a pupil of Giovanni Barile and Piero di Cosimo and was influenced by Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. He painted the picture 'Charity' which hangs in the Louvre. Research Andrea Del Sarto
Andrea di Cione (also known as Orcagna and Arcaonuolo) was an Italian painter, sculptor and architect. He was born in 1316 at Florence and died in 1376. He painted frescoes of Santa Maria Novella and was the architect of Or San Michele. Research Andrea di Cione
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
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