biography of Antoine MONDELLI (1799-?)

Birth place: Italy

Addresses: New Orleans, active 1821-56; St. Louis, MO

Profession: Scene & ornamental painter, designer, decorator, architect, teacher

Comments: From 1822-50s he was chiefly a scene painter at various theatres in New Orleans, including St. Charles Theatre, American Theatre, Camp's Theatre, Polydras Theatre, and Varieties Theatre. In 1832 his partner was Martelli. He also created scenic works in Cincinnati (OH), Nashville (TN) and Mobile (AL). In addition, he was the architect of the St Charles Theatre (1835) and the U.S. Marine Hospital (1834, with his partner John Reynolds). About 1830 he was the first teacher of Leon Pomarede (see entry), who later became Mondelli's son-in-law. Mondelli assisted Pomarede in painting the ceiling of St. Patrick's church (1841) and the two later worked together in St. Louis, MO.

Sources: G&W; Kendall, Golden Age of the New Orleans Theater, 76 (courtesy J.E. Arrington); Delgado-WPA cites New Orleans CD 1822-56, Louisiana Courier (Oct. 29, 1821, April 2, 1829, Oct. 1, 1835), Gazette (Oct. 22, 1822, Jan. 3 and Dec. 27, 1823, Jan. 7, 1824), and Bee (May 14, 1836); McDermott, Leon Pomarede"; Arrington, "Leon Pomarede." More recently, see, Encyclopaedia of New Orleans Artists which cites Mondelli's many listings as they appeared in contemporary newspapers and directores."