Biography
Concetta Basile, iconographer
Granddaughter and direct pupil of Lia Galdiolo, Concetta Basile received a complete training that unites family and spiritual transmission with an intense life of prayer. She paints sacred icons in the technique of the Russian school, in her atelier in Sicily.
The teacher: Lia Galdiolo
Lia Galdiolo is one of the most authoritative figures in contemporary Italian sacred iconography, known for her spiritual depth, faithfulness to Tradition and compositional finesse. Her icons were present at audiences of Pope John Paul II, are kept in the Vatican, and were exhibited in Saint Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna.
Her icon of the Merciful Jesus displayed at Medjugorje has become a sign of grace for many of the faithful. She is the author of the book «Le icone. L'amore misericordioso e la donna vestita di sole» (Editrice Ancilla, 1991). Her Icon of the Holy Face received ecclesiastical approval and the imprimatur of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Messina, Mgr Giovanni Accolla.
The iconographer: Concetta Basile
Among her works, the icon of Saint Joseph the Nourisher, commissioned by Archimandrite Father Alessio Mandanikiotis, is an example of faithfulness to Tradition and spiritual creativity: a newly conceived icon.
Stylistic rigour
Absolute faithfulness to the technique of the Russian school and to the millennial iconographic Tradition.
Theological delicacy
Every icon is born of prayer and meditation.
Spiritual creativity
She renews the iconographic language while remaining anchored in the theology of the face and contemplative silence.
The attestation of the Orthodox Church
«In the world of iconography, transmission between generations is a privileged and authentic way of safeguarding Tradition. Concetta Basile, in the spiritual furrow traced by her grandmother, today continues a coherent, inspired and fruitful iconographic ministry, not by imitation but by genuine adherence to the mystery the icon communicates.»
— Father Alessio Mandanikiotis, Archimandrite Hieromonk, Holy Orthodox Church of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Jurisdiction of Italy and Malta, Hermitage of Candelora, Santa Lucia del Mela.