Constantino brumidi biography channel

Constantino Brumidi (July 26, 1805 – February 19, 1880) was an Greek/Italian-American historical painter, best known and honored for his fresco work in the Capitol Building in Washington, DC.

Parentage and early life

Brumidi was born in Rome, his father a Greek and his mother an Italian.

He showed his talent for fresco painting at an early age and painted in several Roman palaces, among them being that of Prince Torlonia. Under Gregory XVI he worked for three years in the Vatican.

Emigration and following work

The occupation of Rome by French forces in 1849 apparently persuaded Brumidi to emigrate, having joined the short-lived risorgimental Roman Republic, and he sailed for the United States, where he became a naturalized citizen in 1852.

Taking up his residence in New York City, the artist painted a number of portraits. Subsequently he undertook more important works, the principal being a fresco of the Crucifixion in St. Stephen's Church, for which he also executed a Martyrd