Veiled Christ
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The Veiled Christ (Italian: Cristo velato) is a statue made of marble. It was made by Giuseppe Sanmartino. It is in Cappella Sansevero, Naples.
The sculpture, made in 1753, is considered one of the world's masterpieces. Antonio Canova who once tried to acquire the work declared that he would willingly give up ten years of his own life to produce a similar masterpiece.[1]
History and description
[change | change source]The order for the Veiled Christ was given to Antonio Corradini. However, he died a short time later.[2]
Sanmartino took over the work. He decided to place the Christ figure on a couch, covered by a veil. It was to show the suffering that Christ has undergone.
At the sculpture's feet, finally, the artist also carves the instruments of his torture: the crown of thorns, pliers, and some shackles.[2]
Legend of the veil
[change | change source]
An analysis shows that the work is completely made in marble. A receipt of payment to Sanmartino dated 16 December 1752, signed by the prince, is preserved in the historical archive of the Bank of Naples. It states:
Italian: E per me gli suddetti ducati cinquanta gli pagarete al Magnifico Giuseppe Sanmartino in conto della statua di Nostro Signore morto coperta da un velo ancor di marmo. English: And you will pay the aforementioned fifty ducats to the Magnificent Giuseppe Sanmartino on my behalf, for the statue of Our Lord in death covered by a veil also of marble.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Cristo velato: il capolavoro" (in Italian). Museo della Cappella Sansevero. Archived from the original on 2013-10-24. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Cristo velato: la statua" (in Italian). Museo della Cappella Sansevero. Archived from the original on 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
- Elio Catello, Giuseppe Sanmartino (1720-1793), Napoli, Electa, 2004.