Born in 1603 in Monreale, Pietro Novelli is the son of Pietro Antonio Novello, renowned painter and mosaicist, cultivated man whose library was known for its 100 volumes. At the age of 15, Pietro moved to Palermo where he lived with artist Vito Carrera from Trapani, in exercise at the Royal Palace, with his father the painter most in vogue at the end of years 1500 in Palermo. Pietro made his apprenticeship under nobleman Carlo Maria Ventimiglia's protection, who was a mathematician and master of science. In 1623, he married Costanza d'Adamo, and in 1624, when the plague afflicts the city, Peter started his short but intense career. Neglecting some early jobs, in 1629, Pietro is commissioned by the Benedictine Abbey in S. Martino delle Scale for a fresco in the refectory, the true Novelli's onset. In 1630, Peter enters into the Confraternity of the Rosary Society and realizes one of his most famous fresco in the Oratorio del Rosario in San Domenico. Having had two children, the male died at a young age, his daughter Rosalia, born in 1628, reveals herself such a faithful disciple to her father that she can be confused with him for the attribution of certain works. On 22 August 1647, a rebellion led by Joseph Alessi meet the painter in Piazza Vigliena where he is wounded. He dies five days later and is buried in the Friar's cemetery in San Domenico. In 1828, by will of his biographer Agostino Gallo, a bust signed by the great sculptor Villareale is placed in the pantheon of Sicily, the church of San Domenico.
