240px, The stone nativity scene in the Cathedral of Matera. Altobello Persio (1507-1593) was an Italian sculptor. He was the father of Antonio, a philosopher,

Ascanio ''Ascanio'' is a grand opera in five acts and seven tableaux by composer Camille Saint-Saëns. The opera's French libretto, by Louis Gallet, is based on the 1852 play ''Benvenuto Cellini'' by French playwright Paul Meurice which was in turn base ...

, a

humanist Humanism is a philosophical stance that emphasizes the individual and social potential and agency of human beings. It considers human beings the starting point for serious moral and philosophical inquiry. The meaning of the term "human ...

, Domizio, a painter, and Giulio Persio, a sculptor.

Biography

Persio was born at

Montescaglioso Montescaglioso ( Montese: ) is a town and ''comune'' in the Province of Matera, Basilicata, southern Italy. The economy is mostly based on agriculture, including production of renowned oil and wine, as well as traditional food. Historically, i ...

. His first known works were sculptures in the local Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, such as the

Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) , from , with the same meanings. is a period in European history The history of Europe is traditionally divided into four time periods: prehistoric Europe (prior to about 800 BC), classical antiquity (800 BC to AD ...

-style portal. After marrying Beatrice Goffredo, a noblewoman from Matera, he moved to the latter city, where he executed some of his most important works: these include the stone

nativity scene In the Christian tradition, a nativity scene (also known as a manger scene, crib, crèche ( or ), or in Italian ''presepio'' or ''presepe'', or Bethlehem) is the special exhibition, particularly during the Christmas season, of art objects rep ...

and a frontal altar in the

Cathedral A cathedral is a church that contains the '' cathedra'' () of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually specific to those Christian denominatio ...

. Among his other works are a "Crucifix" and a "Virgin with St. John" in the church of San Nicola at

Lagonegro Lagonegro ( Lucano: ) is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Potenza, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata. It is part of the Valle del Noce and has (2017) a population of 5,471. Geography The municipality, located southwest of i ...

, a "St. Joseph" and "

Pietà The Pietà (; meaning " pity", "compassion") is a subject in Christian art depicting the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus after his body was removed from the cross. It is most often found in sculpture. The Pietà is a specific form ...

" in the lunette of the portal of Mother Church of Santa Maria Maggiore at

Miglionico Miglionico ( Lucano: ) is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Matera, in Basilicata, southern Italy Southern Italy ( it, Sud Italia or ) also known as ''Meridione'' or ''Mezzogiorno'' (), is a macroregion of the Italian Republic consisti ...

(also attributed to his son Giulio), "St. Peter and Paul" in the Mother Church of

Oppido Lucano Oppido Lucano ( Oppidano: ; la, Oppidum; osc, Opinum, script=Latn) is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Potenza, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata. It is bounded by the comuni of Acerenza, Cancellara, Genzano di Lucania, I ...

, Isabella and Frederick of Aragon in the Mother church of

Ferrandina Ferrandina ( Lucano: ) is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Matera, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata. It is a center for production of high quality olive oil. Geography data The town is located on a hill in the Basento Vall ...

, and a stone nativity scene in the crypt of della chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore in the quarter of Rabatana at

Tursi Tursi ( Tursitano: ; grc, Θυρσοί, translit=Thursoí; la, Tursium) is a town and ''comune'' in the province of Matera, in the southern Italian region of Basilicata. History In the 9th century it was a stronghold of the Saracens in south ...

Sources

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Persio, Altobello 1507 births 1593 deaths People from the Province of Matera 16th-century Italian sculptors