Baroque and Liberty
Despite the tragic Franco-Turkish invasion in 1553,a revival of Licata is documented thanks to the culture of religious orders and aristocratic families, so the city pass through various political and social events. Between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the city was restored and Most of churches and convents were rebuilt in elegant late Baroque style, such as Carmine and Sant’Angelo, San Francesco, San Domenico, SS. Salvatore, San Girolamo, Maria SS. della Carità and the wonderful chapel of the Black Christ inside the Cathedral and many aristocratic buildings were rebuilt too. Known painters and architects, such as Filippo paladini, Domenico Provenzani, Giovanni Battista Amico and Francesco bonamici, enriched the churches with precious paintings and great prospects. Not only churches, but impressive palaces were built, such as Frangipane, Bosio, Cannada that made Licata a city of art. But the most representative artistic style of the city is the Art Nouveau. In the early twentieth century Licata was growing its economy with the activity of sulfur that favored the city’s well-being in various respects. During this period, several palaces and villas, residences of the rich bourgeoisie, were built following the floral art of Art Nouveau. The greatest exponent of Sicilian Art Nouveau was the architect Ernesto Basile from Palermo who designed the Town Hall and the villa of cav. Urso. An important painter was Salvatore Gregorietti who frescoed many buildings. To Basile were added local artists such as the surveyor Filippo Re Grillo, author of the theatre that bears his name, and the engineer Antonino Reche who gave an imprint to the new art that characterized the city so much. The motifs related to this style are: wrought iron works, used for balconies and railings, valuable wooden furniture of Ducrot, frescoes and tapestries depicting themes of nature, oriental figures, cherubs, stained glass windows with floral designs, precious Florio’s company ceramics.
