Antonio Solario

Painter, born in Civita, in the Abruzzi, C Italy. Originally a blacksmith, he painted frescoes in the Benedictine monastery at Naples.

Antonio Solario, also known as Lo Zingaro (The Gypsy) (c.

His father is said to have been a traveling smith. To all appearance Antonio was born at Civita in the Abruzzi, although it is true that one of his pictures is signed Antonio de Solario Venetus, which may possibly be accounted for on the ground that the signature is not genuine. Solario is said to have gone through a love-adventure similar to that of the Flemish painter, Quintin Massys.

He was at first a smith, and worked in the house of the prime Neapolitan painter Colantonio del Fiore; and the father, to stave him off, said if he would come back in ten years an accomplished painter the young lady should he his. Solario studied the art, returned in nine years, and claimed and obtained his bride.

Whether it has any truth, in relation to some unidentified painter and his daughter, is a separate question which we cannot decide, Solario made an extensive round of study first with Lippo Dalmasi in Bologna, and afterwards in Venice, Ferrara, Florence and Rome.

His principal performance is in the court of the monastery of St Severino, twenty large frescoes illustrating he life of St Benedict, now greatly decayed;

In the study gallery of Naples are three pictures attributed to this master, the most remarkable one being a Madonna and Child, Enthroned with Saints. Solario initiated a mode of art new in Naples; It has often been said that Solario painted in oil, but of this there is no evidence.