Early Life and Apprenticeship in the Italian Tradition Santino Bussi, born on August 28th, 1664, in Bissone, Switzerland—a region steeped in artistic heritage near Lugano—emerged from a family deeply rooted in the world of art. His father, Giovanni Francesco Bussi, was a painter who instilled in his son an early appreciation for drawing and visual expression. However, Santino’s path soon diverged towards the more tactile realm of stucco work. He entered the workshop of a local plasterer to master this demanding craft, beginning a journey that would take him across Italy before ultimately est…