Casimiro Piccolo: The Esoteric Painter of the Piccolo Family
Casimiro Piccolo (1894, Palermo – 1970, Capo d’Orlando) was a distinguished painter and the cousin of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, the writer behind The Leopard. His sibling, Lucio, was a poet held in high regard by Eugenio Montale. Born to Baron Giuseppe Piccolo di Calanovella and Teresa Mastrogiovanni Tasca Filangeri di Cutò, he encountered financial difficulties following his father's departure in 1928. Casimiro honed his painting skills under Antonio Ugo in Palermo, producing landscapes and portraits, including one of Lampedusa that is now lost. From 1917 to 1919, he further developed his craft in Rome. His 'magical watercolors' (1943–1970) drew inspiration from W.B. Yeats. The Fondazione Piccolo in Capo d’Orlando preserves his work and is currently showcasing 'Casimiro Piccolo. Esordi pittorici tra Palermo e Roma' until October 3.
Key facts
- Casimiro Piccolo was born in Palermo in 1894 and died in Capo d’Orlando in 1970.
- He was cousin of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, author of The Leopard.
- His brother Lucio Piccolo was a poet admired by Eugenio Montale.
- He studied under sculptor Antonio Ugo in Palermo and later in Rome with Giulio Aristide Sartorio.
- From 1943 to 1970 he created 'magical watercolors' inspired by theosophy, esotericism, and W.B. Yeats's poetry.
- His works depict elves, gnomes, sirens, and nymphs in ironic situations.
- The exhibition 'Casimiro Piccolo. Esordi pittorici tra Palermo e Roma' runs until October 3 at Fondazione Piccolo in Capo d’Orlando.
- The exhibition is curated by Giuliana Ferrara Sardo and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Fondazione Famiglia Piccolo di Calanovella.
Entities
Artists
- Casimiro Piccolo
- Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
- Lucio Piccolo
- Eugenio Montale
- Giovanni Boldini
- Ernesto Basile
- Ettore Ximenes
- Antonio Ugo
- Giulio Aristide Sartorio
- William Butler Yeats
- Paracelsus
- Agata Piccolo
- Giuliana Ferrara Sardo
Institutions
- Fondazione Piccolo
- Fondazione Famiglia Piccolo di Calanovella
- Artribune
Locations
- Palermo
- Italy
- Capo d’Orlando
- Sanremo
- Rome
- Villa Piccolo