Michele Felice Cornè (1752-1845)
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Michele Felice Cornè was an Italian born American artist. Cornè was thought to have arrived in America in 1800, landing in Salem, Massachusetts. Cornè continued to paint and also taught in Salem until 1806 when he moved to Boston. He remained there until 1822 when he moved to Newport, Rhode Island where he lived the remainder of his life.
Though it is known that Cornè was originally from Naples, Italy, it is not known what type of artistic training he may have had. His style is classically Neopolitan and it is likely that he created a number of pieces in Italy before coming to America.
Cornè was not limited to a certain genre of painting, and produced a number of portraits, landscapes, seascapes and historical scenes in his lifetime. He also did not limit himself to one certain type of medium or canvas and used oil, pen and ink, watercolor and gouache on canvas, wood and paper, and also created lithographs.
Among his artistic endeavors, Cornè is credited to have been the first person to introduce the tomato as an edible vegetable in America. Until then, it was widely believed in the New World that tomatoes were poisonous. A plaque even commemorates Cornè for his introduction of the tomato on his home in Newport to this day.
One notable aspect of some of Cornè’s marine scenes is his inclusion of the title of the painting at the bottom in script. In these paintings, Cornè makes the title a decorative part of the composition.
Still wondering about a New England seascape or Neopolitan painting hanging in your home? Contact us…it could be by Michele Felice Cornè.