Priests
Donatus Buongiorno’s brother-in-law, Carmine Troisi, was a priest in Solofra, Avellio, and he must have known other priests from his church commissions. He painted priests many times, in a variety of situations.
A Little Mischief
Date unknown
Oil on canvas
20 X 24 in.
Whereabouts unknown
Monk with Donkey
Date unknown
Oil on canvas
20 x 24 in.
Whereabouts unknown
The Public's Reader
Circa 1900
Oil on canvas
12 x 10-1/4 in.
Collection of Janice Carapellucci
Is this priest Carmine Troisi? (See story at right.)
The Singing Lesson
Date unknown
Oil on canvas
24 x 16 in.
Whereabouts unknown
Who is the Cardinal? (He's not brushing his teeth. He's playing a flute.)
Man Playing Guitar in Tavern
date unknown
20-1/4 x 26-1/2 in.
Whereabouts unknown
Note that the third and fourth men from the left are Franciscan friars.
Do you know any of these priests?
From his church commissions, Donatus Buongiorno knew priests in Boston, Brattleboro, Vermont, and New York.
He also, apparently, knew at least one priest who was a Cardinal, from the painting at left.
And had a brother-in-law who was the head priest of his family’s church in Solofra, Avellino — Canonico Carmine Troisi of La Collegiata di San Michele.
Do you know what any of these priests looked like? Do you recognize them in any of the paintings to the left?
Is this Carmine Troisi?
(Click to enlarge.)
If you know anything, please contact me. I would love to trace any information I can about these paintings.