Orsola Maddalena Caccia, born Theodora Caccia
Timeline
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Born the second of nine children to Guglielmo Caccia (1568 – 1625), a painter known as “Il Moncalvo,” and Laura Olivia, herself the daughter of an artist. Baptized on December 4 in Mancalvo, Italy.
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Began to learn painting from her father and worked as his assistant.
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Entered the Ursuline convent of Bianzé, where four of her sisters had already taken their vows, and took the name Orsola Maddalena.
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Moved to the newly founded convent in Moncalvo, which was funded by her father. He died on November 13 and is buried in Church of S. Francesco in Moncalvo, Capella di S. Antonino, surrounded by his paintings.
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Inherited all the materials from her father’s atelier, established a painting workshop in the convent at Moncalvo, and began to take on students and assistants.
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Painted St. Antony with the Christ Child (Lu Monferrato, Museo di San Giacomo).
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Painted Birth of the Virgin (Sao Paolo, Pinacoteca).
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Painted Sts. Liberata, Agatha and Lucia (Moncalvo, Church of S. Francesco).
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Wrote to Christine of France asking for permission to be paid for her work, as the convent was struggling financially. Painted St. John the Evangelist (Marentino, Casa Zuccala).
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On June 23, signed a contract with Parish Priest Giovanni Alessi for an altarpiece of Saint John the Baptist (Montemagno [Asti], Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Martino e Stefano).
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Signed and dated Mystic Marriage of Blessed Osana Andreasi (Mantua, Museo Diocesano Francesco Gonzaga).
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Two of Orsola’s paintings are recorded in the Gonzaga collections.
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Died on June 25 at the convent in Moncalvo.
