Italian involvement

The Italian entry into the First World War occurred late in May 1915, with
Italy declaring war on Austria-Hungary. Boccioni's "Lombard Battalion
Volunteers Cyclists and Motorists" set off in early June from Milan to
Gallarate, then on to Peschiera del Garda, towards the back of the Trentino
front. In July 1915, the volunteers were sent to a front-line region centered
around Ala and the Gardesana.

On 24 October 1915, Boccioni participated in the battle of Dosso Casina. On

1 December 1915, the battalion was dissolved as part of a general
reorganization; the volunteers were laid off temporarily, then each was called
up along with the class. In May 1916 Boccioni was drafted into the Italian
Army, and was assigned to an artillery regiment at Sorte of Chievo, near
Verona. On 16 August 1916, he was thrown from his horse during a cavalry
training exercise and was trampled.

He died the following day, age thirty-three, at Verona Military Hospital, and
he was buried in the Monumental Cemetery of that city. From 1902 to 1910,
Boccioni focused initially on drawings, then sketched and painted portraits –
with his mother as a frequent model. He also painted landscapes – often
including the arrival of industrialization, trains and factories for example.
During this period, he weaves between Pointillism and Impressionism, and
the influence of Giacomo Balla, and Divisionism techniques are evident in
early paintings (although later largely abandoned). The Morning (1909) was
noted for "the bold and youthful violence of hues" and as "a daring exercise
in luminosity."[6] His 1909–10 Three Women, which portrays his mother and
sister, and longtime lover Ines at center, was cited as expressing great
emotion – strength, melancholy and love.