Giuseppe Sammartino: A Baroque Visionary Giuseppe Sammartino (1720-1793) stands as a pivotal figure in the artistic landscape of Naples and wider Italian Baroque, renowned for his breathtaking tempera paintings—particularly his depictions of the Nativity—that continue to inspire awe centuries later. Born into a family steeped in artistic tradition, Sammartino’s formative years were spent absorbing the stylistic nuances of Caravaggio and Borromini, influences that would indelibly shape his distinctive approach to artmaking. He quickly established himself as a prolific sculptor and painter, se…