Old City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Nicola Monachesi

(c. 1795-1851)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2019

1. Nicola Monachesi Marker

Inscription. Born and trained in Italy, this artist executed some of the first fresco paintings in America, beginning in the 1830s. His commissions decorated many grand homes, Catholic churches, and public buildings such as the Merchant’s Exchange Building on South 3rd St. The ceiling frescoes at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church are a rare surviving example of his work. Monachesi became a US citizen and lived in Philadelphia until his death.

Erected 2017 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list.

Location. 39° 57.321′ N, 75° 8.776′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Old City. Marker is at the intersection of North 4th Street and North Marginal Road, on the right when traveling south on North 4th Street. Marker is located on the sidewalk, near the southeast corner of the St. Augustine Church property. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 246 North 4th Street, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old St. George's (a few steps from this marker); St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church

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(a few steps from this marker); St. George's Church (a few steps from this marker); Old First Reformed (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Benjamin Franklin Bridge (about 700 feet away); Kahal Kodosh Mikveh Israel (approx. 0.2 miles away); National Funeral For President Washington (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ralph Modjeski (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . . Nicola Monachesi (Wikipedia). Nicola Monachesi was an Italian painter believed to have painted the earliest frescos in America. He was born in Tolentino, Marche Italy and was considered a citizen of Rome. After studying in Rome, he emigrated to America in 1831-32 entering through New York and settling in Philadelphia. He worked mostly as an interior decorator, drawing neoclassical artistic paintings on wall surfaces and portrait paintings on canvass decorating churches, commercial buildings, and Mansions. When he died in Philadelphia, he had become a naturalized citizen of the United States. (Submitted on July 1, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Nicola Monachesi Marker (<i>wide view from North 4th Street</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2019

2. Nicola Monachesi Marker (wide view from North 4th Street)

St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church (<i>southeast corner view • marker at bottom center</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2019

3. St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church (southeast corner view • marker at bottom center)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 211 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 1, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.