John B. Smeraldi
Italian-American muralist and furniture and interior designer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John B. Smeraldi (died May 14, 1947) was an Italian-born American muralist, and furniture and interior designer. He painted the ceilings of many buildings, including the ballroom inside the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California.
John B. Smeraldi | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Died | May 14, 1947 Bayside, New York, U.S. |
| Occupations | Muralist, furniture designer, interior designer |
| Spouse | Francesca Smeraldi |
| Children | 2 sons, 3 daughters |
| Relatives | Maria Giacalone (né)Smeraldi (sister), Cosmo Giacalone (brother-in-law), Lucia Ventimiglia (né)Smeraldi (sister), Santo Ventimiglia (brother-in-law) Joseph Giacialone (nephew), Lauretta Giacalone (niece) |
Life
Smeraldi was born Giovanni Battista Smeraldi in Palermo in December 1859, Sicily, Italy. He emigrated to the United States in 1889.[1][2][3]
Smeraldi began his career as a designer for Marcotte & Co.[1][2] In 1921, he moved to Los Angeles to paint the ceiling of the ballroom inside the Biltmore Hotel.[4] He also painted the ceiling inside the Pasadena Convention Center,[5] and he worked on the Jonathan Club.[1] Beyond California, his work extended to the New York Biltmore Hotel, the Atlanta Biltmore Hotel, The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, and Château Frontenac in Quebec City, Canada.[2]
Smeraldi resided in Los Angeles. With his wife Maria, he had two sons and three daughters. He died on May 14, 1947, in Bayside, New York.[1][2]
