Casolani, Henry
Henry (Enrico) Casolani (1817-1885) was born in Valetta, Malta, to an important local family, his father having a significant role in the colonial government. Although he graduated in law from Malta University, his talent for design and painting took him to Rome where he studied with Giuseppe Hyzler (1787-1858) and then Johann Frederick Overbeck (1789-1869), the leader of the Nazarene movement.
After Rome Casolani moved to England and was able to use his father’s connections to gain early opportunities in stained glass. A particularly significant connection was with the Earl of Shrewsbury, a leading supporter of A.W.N. Pugin (1812-52). Pugin appreciated Casolani’s ability, writing to John Hardman in 1847 he described him as ‘a most distinguished Christian artist’. However, his initial employment is said to have foundered with Pugin reportedly finding him lazy and a womaniser. Nonetheless, by 1851 he was back working for Pugin in Ramsgate.
After Pugin’s untimely death Casolani divided his time between London and St Helen’s in Lancashire, working for a number of studios, including James Powell & Sons, for whom he designed a number of windows installed between 1861 and 1876.
Sources:
The Painter Enrico Casolani by Joseph R Gatt, University of Malta (2000)
Hardman of Birmingham by Michael Fisher (Landmark Publishing, 2008)
Angels & Icons: Pre-Raphaelite Stained Glass 1850-1870 by William Waters (Seraphim Press Ltd 2012)