Antonio Licata

Licata was born in Agrigento, Sicily. At the age of 16 years, he moved to Naples, where he planned to enroll in the military; however he chose to become a painter. His portrait of his parents convinced them to sponsor his education at the Neapolitan Academy of Fine Arts.^[2] He subsequently obtained a stipend to study at the Accademia di San Luca in Rome.^[3]

During a trip to Venice, he met the painter Orsola Faccioli, who became his wife, and moved with him south to live in and around Naples.^[4]

The Pinacoteca di Capodimonte held two of his works: San Paolo che accusa il Mago Elima, awarded a gold medal; and Galileo commissioned by the King Vittorio Emanuele. At the Reggia of Naples, his painting of the Angel of Peace was displayed; it previously had been exhibited at Rome. In the church of the Minori conventuali in Catania, he displayed a large Immaculate Conception. In the Palace of Caserta was found a Jesus blessing the children. In the church of the Ascension at Naples, Licata painted the four evangelists; in the chapel of the Immacolata are three half-size figures in oil of Saints Joseph, Francis of Paola, and Mark. For the church of Santo Stefano of Piacenza, he painted a Santa Barbara with Angels; for the University of Catania, A wounded Gladiator that won the gold medal at Naples; and at Palo in the province of Bari, Flight to Egypt awarded a gold medal. In the Chapel of the Duchess of Berry e Gratz : a life size Santa Rosalia and an Addolorata, a canvas of The beheading of St John the Baptist and some portraits.

In 1869, Licata was named professor of the Institute of Fine Arts of Naples,^[5] and instructor of figure at the Royal Educatorio, honorary associate of the Academy of Perugia, Naples, Urbino, and others.^[6]