TAURINO, Gian Paolo. - Jesuit engraver, b. in Milan on 31 May 1580, d. there on 19 May 1656.
He entered the Order on 22 Oct. 1597 together with his elder brother Giacomo. As both were already trained in their craft as engravers, in 1600 they were sent to Milan for the confessionals of S. Fedele (2 of these are by their other elder brother Giovanni, the remaining 7 or 8 by Giacomo and Gian Paolo), each of which features in the four carved panels scenes of the Passion and episodes from the Old Testament alluding to Penance; together they form a logical cycle suited to their purpose, derived from the *Liber imaginum* of Fr. G. Nadal. In 1605 the two brothers worked in Rome on the embellishment of the church of S. Vitale, carving its doors with characteristic episodes from the life of the Saint. After Giacomo left the Order (1606), Gian Paolo continued his work, much in demand and highly esteemed in Jesuit churches at Tivoli, Genoa, Turin, Palermo and at S. Ignazio in Rome, always engaged in carving confessionals, cupboards and sacristy shelves.