25/03/2026
CARLO D’APRILE
(Genoa 1621 – Palermo 1668)
A rare set of five marble-inlaid elements (marmi mischi)
Sicily, mid-17th century
Comprising a moulded upper cornice and four vertical panels, executed in finely inlaid polychrome marbles on a black paragone ground, with scrolling acanthus, floral motifs and cartouches.
These works closely relate to the celebrated marble inlays of the Church of the Gesù (Casa Professa), Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, and the Immacolata Concezione in Palermo. Comparable examples are found in works attributed to the workshop of Carlo d’Aprile, after designs by Gasparo Guercio, notably in the Chapel of Saint Gemma Galgani in the Church of Sant’Ignazio all’Olivella, Palermo.
The technique, referred to in period sources as marmi mischi, was likely introduced to Sicily by Tuscan craftsmen. It is distinguished by the use of a dark paragone ground—unlike the more polychrome Neapolitan tradition—enriched with naturalistic inlays in white Carrara marble, yellow marble from Castronovo (often tending towards reddish tones after firing), red marble from Piana dei Greci, and grey bardiglio marble from Carrara.
Dimensions
• Two panels: 112 × 17.5 cm
• Two panels: 135 × 17.5 cm
• Cornice: approimately 225 × 25 cm