Licata was born in
Agrigento, Sicily. At the age of 16 years, he moved to
Naples, where he planned to enroll in the military; however he chose to become a painter. His portrait of his parents convinced them to sponsor his education at the Neapolitan Academy of Fine Arts. He subsequently obtained a stipend to study at the
Accademia di San Luca in Rome. During a trip to
Venice, he met the painter
Orsola Faccioli, who became his wife, and moved with him south to live in and around Naples. The
Pinacoteca di Capodimonte held two of his works:
San Paolo che accusa il Mago Elima, awarded a gold medal; and
Galileo commissioned by the King Vittorio Emanuele. At the Reggia of Naples, his painting of the
Angel of Peace was displayed; it previously had been exhibited at Rome. In the church of the Minori conventuali in
Catania, he displayed a large
Immaculate Conception. In the
Palace of Caserta was found a
Jesus blessing the children. In the church of the Ascension at Naples, Licata painted the four evangelists; in the chapel of the Immacolata are three half-size figures in oil of Saints Joseph, Francis of Paola, and Mark. For the church of Santo Stefano of
Piacenza, he painted a
Santa Barbara with Angels; for the University of Catania,
A wounded Gladiator that won the gold medal at Naples; and at Palo in the province of Bari,
Flight to Egypt awarded a gold medal. In the Chapel of the Duchess of Berry e Gratz : a life size
Santa Rosalia and an
Addolorata, a canvas of
The beheading of St John the Baptist and some portraits. In 1869, Licata was named professor of the Institute of Fine Arts of Naples, and instructor of figure at the Royal Educatorio, honorary associate of the Academy of Perugia, Naples, Urbino, and others. ==References==