Alessandro Sanquirico (1777 - 1849)

Alessandro Sanquirico

Alessandro Sanquirico was an Italian painter, scenographer, set designer and architect.

Sanquirico began his work as a decorator for festive celebrations in Milan. In addition to scenography, Sancuirico studied architecture and perspective with Giuseppe Piermarini, architect of the La Scala opera house. Between 1817 and 1832, Sanquirico was La Scala's chief scenic designer and skillfully used the neoclassical architectural style in his sets, as well as images of exotic locations. The scenography created by Sanquirico for La Scala reached a higher level than contemporary designs for opera houses in any other European country. For 15 years he was the sole scenographer, designing sets for productions of operas by Donizetti, Rossini, Bellini, Mozart, Meyerbeer and Pacini. In total, Sanquirico designed more than 300 productions for this theater, including many premieres.

Sanquirico also created several large-scale paintings of historical subjects, worked on the interior of Milan Cathedral and fulfilled other commissions from wealthy nobles.