Francesca Forleo-Brayda

Francesca Forleo Braida (Francavilla Fontana, 18 January 1779 – 2 June 1820) was a Neapolitan artist. She was born in Francavilla Fontana, at that time in the Kingdom of Naples, now in the Province of Brindisi, in Puglia.

Biography Francesca Forleo-Brayda was born on 18 January 1779 in Francavilla Fontana, into a family of the local minor nobility. She was the youngest of several children, daughter of Domenico Forleo and Donata Brajda. She grew up in an intellectually stimulating environment, encouraged by her uncle Onofrio Forleo to study fine arts, literature, and history from a young age. Castello Imperiali: two paintings by Forleo-Brayda are on display in the Mogavero Room, and constitute part of the artistic heritage of the castle.

Dedications In 2019, the Municipality of Francavilla Fontana dedicated to Francesca Forleo-Brayda: a city street, although without the designation of "painter", and a public park

Quotations The historian Pietro Palumbo, is said to have described the artist’s work as follows:

"Francesca Forleo-Brayda represented and reflected the eighteenth century in all its folds and minutiae. She foreshadowed modern times, demonstrating that true nobility does not lie in apathy and idleness, but in the accomplishment of noble deeds and in work."