NAPOLI
CAPPELLA SANSEVERO
The mysterious shapes and the legend itself of the
Sansevero Chapel have suggested the idea of a fantastic journey to many artists such as
Alessandro Coletti, lamberto Lambertini,ecc, who have expressed it both in romances and
movies.
Giuseppe Sammartino,
IL CRISTO VELATO
Which of the many images in the Chapel hides the
Pince-Alchemist's true secret?
The subject we suggest is The Alchemical
tale by Raimondo di Sangro
In the 16th century Naples all the most important families
lived in the area between Piazza Gesł Nuovo, Via S.Biagio dei Librai, Piazza S. Domenico
Maggiore and Via dei Tribunali. The Palace of the dukes De Sangro, Princes of San severo,
was situated in Piazza S. Domenico Maggiore .
According to the chronicles of the period, as we read in Napoli sacra by Cesare d'Eugenio
(1624), towards the end of the 16th century , while an innocent man was being taken to
prison, part of the wall around the garden fell down and unveiled a painting with Virgin
Mary putting down Christ in his tomb.
Antonio Corradini
IL DISINGANNO
In 1590 they started to erect a votive chapel in the spot where
they had found the painting called S. Maria della Pietą by the believers
In 1700 the Prince Raimondo di Sangro, VI prince of SanSevero, gave the chapel the present
aspect, adding numerous artistic works as a reminder of his family.
In the following centuries the Chapel became famous as 'Cappella di Sansevero'
The subject we suggest is set in 18th century and is a sort of documentary on the works of
the most important sculptors of the century from A. Corraqdini to G. Sammartino to F.
Queirolo, according the ermetic symbolism given by our Prince-Alchemist .
Antonio Corradini
IL DISINGANNO
(particolare)