Signs as Words: Artistic Expression

Deaf Italian Painters

Painting appears to be the preferred form of artistic expression of deaf people, apparently because its visual modality gave them a greater access to expression and communication.

The first records of a deaf painter was of Quintus Pedius, who lived during the Roman Empire. During the Medieval Ages, the artistic talent that deaf people showed impressed the monks and prompted them to use deaf artists to decorate manuscripts at the monasteries. The cultural and philosophical revolution of the Renaissance gave rise to a burst of deaf artists.

The great masters wanted to represent the 'real' human nature in their works; they devoted themselves to the study of anatomy, body language, and the communication system used by the deaf. Even Leonardo da Vinci spent a lot of his time studying gestures, with the help of the son of a deaf painter, Cristoforo de Predis.

Many deaf people worked in painters' and sculptors' workshops because of their visual and manual expertise. In certain instances, we learn that some painters were deaf only by their given nicknames (for example Antonio Viviani, who was nicknamed "Il Sordo" -- "The Deaf").

Bernardino di Betto (b. 1454, Perugia; d. 1513, Siena), called "Il Pinturicchio"
Rome, S. Maria in Aracoeli. Detail of "Funerali di San Bernardino" (The Funeral of Saint Bernardino)	A student of Pietro Vannucci "Il Perugino". With his master, Bernardino di Betto painted two panels in the Sistine Chapel. He has painted also the Storie di S. Bernardino (Tales of St. Bernardino), in the Bufalini Chapel at St. Maria Church in Aracoeli. In 1502, his work, the Storie di Pio II (Tales of Pope Pio II), was unveiled in the Piccolomini Library at the Duomo in Siena.	Rome, S. Maria in Aracoeli; "Gloria di San Bernardino da Siena" (Glory of St. Bernardino of Siena)

Antonio Viviani (b. 1560, Urbino; d. 1620, Fano), called "Il Sordo"
Rome, S. Gregorio al Celio; "Santa Flavia Domitilla"	An apprentice of Federico Barrocci. He was called to Rome by Pope Sisto V, to do frescos. They can be seen in the Vatican Library, the Vatican Secret Archives, the Palazzo Apostolico, and the Saint Steps. In 1602, he painted also the Storie di San Gregorio Magno in the St. Barbara chapel at S. Gregorio al Celio Church. His career ended with an artwork titled Storie di S. Pietro, which was displayed at S. Pietro in Valle Church (1618-1620).	Rome, S. Gregorio al Celio. "San Gregorio Magno"

Other Less-Known Painters
Cristoforo de Predis (d. 1486), miniaturist, Milan. Ercole Sarti di Ferrara (d. circa 1598), also known as "il Muto di Ficarolo" (The Mute from Ficarolo).	Francesco Comi (b. 1682, Bologna; d. 1737, Verona), also known as "il Fornaretto" or "il Muto di Verona" (The Little Baker or The Mute from Verona). Jacopo Alessandro Calvi (b. 1740; d. 1815, Bologna), detto "il Sordino" (The Little Deaf).