Oronzo Tiso was born in 1726 in Lecce, in via degli Antoglietta 34, today a plaque is affixed to the house where he was born.
He initially trained at the Jesuit college in Lecce and later, between 1746 and 1752, in Naples, again with the Jesuits, where he devoted himself to the studies of civil and canon law, and where at the same time he devoted himself to painting.
He came into contact with some of the most established artists in the service of the Bourbon court, including the painter Francesco Solimena, from whom he learned a painting style with a strong scenographic imprint, and some masters of the Venetian school.
Having returned to Lecce in 1752, he took his vows as a priest and played a fundamental role in the management of all the public activities of the cathedral chapter, for which he painted several canvases between 1757 and 1758.
From this moment on, a prolific production begins, still evident in many paintings preserved in Lecce and throughout the province. Like this beautiful painting preserved in the diocesan museum of Molfetta and depicting Saint Joseph with Child. The father figure is represented in all his sweetness, wonder and protection.
For those who want to track down the works of Oronzo Tiso in Lecce, here is a list of all his paintings distributed in some of the most beautiful churches in Lecce.
Duomo di Lecce:
La fornace di Babilonia
La Vergine Annunciata
La Comunione
La distribuzione dei panetti (l’elemosina)
L’Arcangelo Michele
L’Arcangelo Raffaele
La Crocefissione
Chiesa dell’Immacolata:
Nascita della Vergine
L’Assunta
La presentazione della Vergine al Tempio
L’annunciazione della Vergine
La visitazione della Vergine
La purificazione della Vergine
Chiesetta di S.Pietro:
San Giuseppe con Bambino
San Giovanni Battista
Angelo custode
Arcangelo Michele
La Vergine col Bambino ed i santi Pietro e Paolo
Leave a comment