ABSTRACT
Luigi Giovanni Vitale Capello a.k.a. Capello
(1843-1902), Itinerant Piedmontese Artist of Late Nineteenth-Century Quebec
Alexandra Shtychno
1991
Luigi Capello (a.k.a. Cappello) (1843-1902), painter,
theater set designer, and embroidery pattern maker was active in the province of Quebec
and the state of New York from the time of his arrival from Europe c. 1875 to the time of
his departure in c. 1898. In spite of his non-native origins, during a period of rely two
decades, Capello established a studio for theatrical design and embroidery, taught drawing
at a Jesuit College, executed approximately twenty-three religious paintings for churches
in Quebec and the state of New York, as well as completed numerous fresco decorations for
five chapels and churches. His list of works contains a dozen landscapes and portraits
which he exhibited at the A.A.M. and R.C.A., well as theatre curtain and scenery
decorations for the Collège de l'Assomption. His most prominent protege was Ozias Leduc
(1864-1955).
The first part of this thesis will deal with the artist's
biography. The second chapter will document Capello's artistic formation and his teachers.
The last section will analyze both Capello's surviving works, and discuss missing and
destroyed art.
The intention of this research is to contribute to the
knowledge of artists such as Capello, who taught the Old World traditions and techniques
to native Quebec artists, and bridged the gap to the New World.
Return to the Main Listing
of Theses or
use your browser's BACK button to return to the previous page
