Amico, Giovanni Biagio
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Amico, Giovanni Biagio: (1684, Trapani; d. 1754). Architect and priest. Having become a priest in 1705, he became a noted architect and created a number of works in and around his native Trapani. His reputation broadened until, in 1725, he was named Royal Architect and was transferred to Palermo. There, he was charged with the task of repairing many of the fine buildings damaged by recent earthquakes. In 1726 he began work on the façade of the church of Sant’Anna, one of Sicily’s earliest examples which incorporated convex walls. Returning to Trapani in c1740, he thereafter used that city as his base, as he continued projects in western Sicily. Amico was the author of L’Architecco practico (Palermo, 1726 and 1750). His architectural works are numerous. They include:
the façade of the church of the Purgatorio (Trapani, 1712-14)
the church of the Catena (Salemi, 1712-14)
the church of Santa Caterina (Calatafimi, 1721)
the church of Santa Oliva (Alcamo, 1723)
the Immacolata column (Palermo, c1726)
on the façade of the church of Sant’Anna (Palermo, 1726-36)
the church of S. Lorenzo (Trapani, 1740)
the church of S. Pietro (Alcamo, 1742)
the loggia of the Seminary (Mazara, 1744)
the church of the Crocifisso (Calatafimi, 1745)
the façade of the church of the Carmine (Licata, 1748).