Sebastiano Albertis was born in Milano in 1828. He became a promising student of the Brera Academy, he follows the teaching of the history painter Roberto Focosi and of the genre painters Domenico and Gerolamo Induno; with the latter especially he will maintain a constant relationship of friendship and cultural exchange.

After participating in the events related to the Risorgimento he returns to Milan, resumes painting, successfully participating in the Brera exhibitions. In 1855 he created "A reconnaissance of Piedmontese cavalry outposts", the first work of the series of that patriotic military genre, which soon became his specialization.

At the outbreak of the second war of independence in 1859, he enlisted in Garibaldi's...