He took his inspiration from history (painting a fresco on "The life of Leonardo da Vinci") and religion ("The Holy Family in Egypt", the 1851 "The parable of the Samaritan" and the 1854 "Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino presented by Bramante to Pope Julius II"). His masterpiece (now at the Museum of the Risorgimento in Milan) is considered to be "Episodio delle Cinque Giornate (Combattimento a Palazzo Litta)" - known in English as "Episode from the Five Days (Fighting at Palazzo Litta)".