Self-portrait
Michele Felice Corne, n.d.
Oil on canvas, 22 1/2" x 16"
Redwood Painting
Collection
|
Michele Felice Cornè
b. Island of Elba, Italy, 1752
d. Newport, RI, July 10, 1845
|
Cornè moves to Newport in 1822; at least 70 years of age, upon arrival
spends last 23 years of his life here. Considered a great talker and raconteur.
Cornè is generally credited (subjectively) with the introduction
of the tomato as an edible commodity to this country.
It has been said that tomatoes were first eaten in Newport and, up until
the first tomato was eaten here, they were thought to be poisonous. It
appears he probably introduced it to Newport but since he was in Salem
for over 20 years previously it is likely that he first ate a tomato there.
On display at the Redwood: self-portrait and other Cornè drawings.
His house still stands on the southeast corner of Cornè and Mill
Streets with a plaque on the outside wall honoring his introduction of
the tomato.
Cornè is buried in the Common Burial Ground, marked by a six foot
obelisk.
An artist, his paintings may be grouped into landscapes, marines, panoramas
and portraits. He utilized a number of mediums including gouche, oil, pen
and ink and water colors on canvas, paper and wood.
Cornè arrived in the U.S. on July 7,1800 aboard the Mount Vernon,
owned by the Derby family of Salem, MA. Please note: log book of Mount
Vernon did not list his name among passengers. Hence, one cannot be certain
that he was on that boat. On the day of his arrival it is said that he
had in his pocket the seeds of a tomato-although this was never proven.
Cornè lived in Salem, painting and teaching until 1806 when he moved
to Boston. While there he did one of his most noted works on Abel Bowen's
The
Naval Monument, which was published in 1816. The book contained 21
illustrated paintings of naval engagements which took place during the
War of 1812. Each was signed by Cornè and described and engraved
by Bowen.
Bibliography
|
