Giacomo Serpotta

Giacomo Serpotta ( born March 10, 1656 in Palermo, † February 26, 1732 in Palermo ) was an Italian sculptor and decorator of the Baroque. He was the most important member of the family of sculptors Serpotta in Palermo. With his brother Giuseppe ( * 1653, † 1719) and his son Procopio (* 1679, † 1755), he worked frequently together.

Life

About his education is not known, probably, he shared with his brother first instructions in the workshop of his father Gaspare Serpotta († 1669). Most of his biographers believe that he has trained his other sculptural skills in Rome since his sculptures stylistically reflect the spirit of the Roman sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini's school in the area. Its main activity he displayed in Palermo, where his works are shown from 1678.

Work

From his sculptural work, among others, eight allegorical statues by 1726/28 in the church of San Francesco d' Assisi and saints have been preserved in the church of Sant'Agostino in Palermo. His real fame due to Serpotta mostly monochrome marble stucco work that can be found in numerous churches and oratories of Sicily. Best known are its stucco decorations in the Oratorio di San Lorenzo, the Oratorio di Santa Cita and the Oratorio del Rosario in Palermo. Typical of his approach is the design of the wall decoration with figural reliefs framing his free figures.

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