Nicola Monachesi (1795–1851) was an Italian painter believed to have painted the earliest frescos in the United States. [1] [2] He was born in Tolentino in the Marche region of Italy and was considered a citizen of Rome. He died in Philadelphia a naturalized citizen of the United States. In Italy, he was a pupil of the Accademia di San Luca, Rome, studying under Gaspare Landi, and won his first prize for painting. He emigrated to America in 1831-32, entering through New York and settling in Philadelphia. He worked mostly as an interior decorator, drawing neoclassical artistic paintings on wall surfaces and portrait paintings on canvass decorating churches, commercial buildings, and mansions.
In 2017, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission installed a historical marker is on a sidewalk near the southeast corner of the St. Augustine Church, Philadelphia in Center City. The marker was proposed by author and historian Celeste Anne Morello. [3]
Its inscription reads: "Born and trained in Italy, this artist executed some of the first fresco paintings in America, beginning in the 1830s. His commissions decorated many grand homes, Catholic churches, and public buildings such as the Merchant’s Exchange Building on South 3rd St. The ceiling frescoes at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church are a rare surviving example of his work. Monachesi became a US citizen and lived in Philadelphia until his death." [4]
Its precise location is 39° 57.321′ N, 75° 8.776′ W. at the intersection of North 4th Street and North Marginal Road, on the right when traveling south on North 4th Street.
Works surviving and preserved are:
Works demolished or destroyed:
Works Unknown status:
His portraits existed in many "old" established families in Philadelphia and vicinity. It included patrons as Stephen Girard, Madam Rush, Joseph Bonaparte and Joseph Togno. In 1841-42 his large historical picture, The Murder of Jane McCrea, was exhibited in Philadelphia. An exhibit of his work was held by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Works of Art Gallery: Preserved frescoes painted by the Italian artist Nicola Monachesi (1795-1851) are best displayed at St. Augustine Church, Philadelphia. [14] The center of the ceiling of the church is occupied by his painting representing the ascent of St. Augustine into Heaven. Augustine is depicted with an older face and a thick white beard that descends from his face and dressed in the black tunic of the Augustinian monks. He is placed on a cushion of clouds in the middle with a chorus of angels at the feet of the Virgin holding the Baby Jesus in her arms. Above in his ascent is boldly highlighted with an intense light, that comes from the Trinity as symbolized by a equilateral triangle. Other paintings in the Church are also thought to be his works of art and decoration.
Nicola Monachesi (1795–1851) was an Italian painter believed to have painted the earliest frescos in the United States. [1] [2] He was born in Tolentino in the Marche region of Italy and was considered a citizen of Rome. He died in Philadelphia a naturalized citizen of the United States. In Italy, he was a pupil of the Accademia di San Luca, Rome, studying under Gaspare Landi, and won his first prize for painting. He emigrated to America in 1831-32, entering through New York and settling in Philadelphia. He worked mostly as an interior decorator, drawing neoclassical artistic paintings on wall surfaces and portrait paintings on canvass decorating churches, commercial buildings, and mansions.
In 2017, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission installed a historical marker is on a sidewalk near the southeast corner of the St. Augustine Church, Philadelphia in Center City. The marker was proposed by author and historian Celeste Anne Morello. [3]
Its inscription reads: "Born and trained in Italy, this artist executed some of the first fresco paintings in America, beginning in the 1830s. His commissions decorated many grand homes, Catholic churches, and public buildings such as the Merchant’s Exchange Building on South 3rd St. The ceiling frescoes at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church are a rare surviving example of his work. Monachesi became a US citizen and lived in Philadelphia until his death." [4]
Its precise location is 39° 57.321′ N, 75° 8.776′ W. at the intersection of North 4th Street and North Marginal Road, on the right when traveling south on North 4th Street.
Works surviving and preserved are:
Works demolished or destroyed:
Works Unknown status:
His portraits existed in many "old" established families in Philadelphia and vicinity. It included patrons as Stephen Girard, Madam Rush, Joseph Bonaparte and Joseph Togno. In 1841-42 his large historical picture, The Murder of Jane McCrea, was exhibited in Philadelphia. An exhibit of his work was held by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Works of Art Gallery: Preserved frescoes painted by the Italian artist Nicola Monachesi (1795-1851) are best displayed at St. Augustine Church, Philadelphia. [14] The center of the ceiling of the church is occupied by his painting representing the ascent of St. Augustine into Heaven. Augustine is depicted with an older face and a thick white beard that descends from his face and dressed in the black tunic of the Augustinian monks. He is placed on a cushion of clouds in the middle with a chorus of angels at the feet of the Virgin holding the Baby Jesus in her arms. Above in his ascent is boldly highlighted with an intense light, that comes from the Trinity as symbolized by a equilateral triangle. Other paintings in the Church are also thought to be his works of art and decoration.