Artistic formation

Born in Reggio nell'Emilia, Mussini studied at the Regia Scuola di disegno per operai, under Gaetano Chierici and Cirillo Manicardi, graduating in 1888. In 1890 he co-founded the association "Cooperativa pittori di Reggio Emilia", later becoming its artistic director.^[1] In 1892 he moved to Rome, where he studied at the Academy of France and attended the Scuola Libera del Nudo of the Accademia di Belle Arti.^[1] In 1893, thanks to a scholarship, he moved to Florence where he enrolled at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze.^[1]

Starting from 1896 Mussini started exhibiting his works in important exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale, and worked for important patrons, including the Medici family.^[1] In 1903, he began collaborating with the journal Leonardo, under the pseudonym Augustus.^[1]

Escape and religious vocation

Fall and Redemption of Man, fresco in church of Cappuccini of Ascoli Piceno

On 26 October 1903, Mussini disappeared from Florence, escaping from a duel with his best friend, the painter Giovanni Costetti, who had become his rival because of a woman, the painter Beatrice Ancillotti.^[1] On the way to the Austria, and after contemplating suicide, he got hospitality in a Capuchin monastery in Gorizia.^[1] He eventually moved to a Franciscan monastery in Trieste and then to the Franciscan monastery of Ascoli Piceno.^[1] There, after one year of in isolation and contemplative practices, in January 1905 he became a Friar, taking the name of Fra Paolo (Brother Paul).^[1] After the vows, he reprised his artistic activities, decorating various churches in Marche, including the Church of Cappuccini where he realized a large mural illustrating the life of Seraphin of Montegranaro.^[1]