Bellisario was born in Naples, where he studied at the Institute of Fine Arts, under the mentorship of Francesco Oliva.
In 1851, he was named professor of design at the Educandato Regina Coeli di Napoli; in 1860, he began teaching at the Institute of Fine Arts of Naples.
Bellisario was prolific, painting may portraits and producing many pictures and copies of sacred subjects.
Described as a fervent Catholic, among his religious pictures are: The Prodigal Son ; John the Baptist in the Desert; The Virgin of the Rosary; two Holy Family paintings; two Addolorate; a Deposition; The Apocalypse of St John ; the Dream of Baby Jesus ; The head of St John presented to Delilah; Saint Filomena; The Feeding of Baby Jesus; three St Louis Gonzaga paintings; The Martyrdom of St Bartholemew; St Francis of Assisi; St Jerome; The Divine Shepherdess ; and Christ on the Cross Among his other works are Francesca da Rimini; La Regina Giovanna col suo drudo; The Challenge of Barletta; Isabella Orsini; Famine in Naples; The Massacre of the Naples Police in 1860; Markos Botsaris; Aristide e il Pastore (Aristides of Athens); and Bacchus.
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