Pietro Bardellino

As early as 1750, he was commissioned to paint the ceiling in the large room of the Ospedale degli Incurabili, depicting Machaon curing Menelaus.

He created other notable, decorative works at the Oratorio della Confraternita dei Bianchi dello Spirito Santo [it] (1753), the Cattedrale di Bitonto (1764), and the basilica of San Giacomo degli Spagnoli (1778); all of a religious nature.

[1] His largest, most challenging project came in 1781: the ceiling of the Grand Hall at the Palazzo degli Studi [it], which later became part of the Real Museo Borbonico.

During his later years, his notable works include a portrait of the architect Gaetano Barba [it] (1790), and the frescoes for the Biblioteca dei Girolamini [it] (1792).

In 1803, he and Desiderio De Angelis (1743-1811) were chosen to operate the nude drawing school at the Accademia, but his appointment was not confirmed until the year he died.