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The Seven Works of Mercy

Napoli, Italia ★★★★☆ 180 views
kim Larsonn
Napoli
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About The Seven Works of Mercy

The Seven Works of Mercy - Napoli | Secret World Trip Planner

It is preserved at Pio Monte della Misericordia in Naples. The composition depicts crammed into a large altarpiece the "Seven Works of Mercy": the six enunciated by Christ in Matthew's Gospel with the addition of the burial of the dead, which, following the recent famine, had become a major problem for the city of Naples . On the right, the "Burying the Dead" is depicted with the carrying of a corpse whose feet are only visible, by a deacon holding a torch and a bearer. "Visiting the imprisoned" and "Feeding the hungry" are concentrated in a single episode: that of Cimmon who, condemned to death by starvation in prison, was fed from the breasts of his daughter Pero, and for this he was pardoned by the magistrates who had a temple dedicated to the Goddess Piety erected on the same site. The Basilica of St. Nicholas in Prison was later built on the same site. On the left side others the "Dressing the Unclothed" with a figure of a young knight, a St. Martin of Tours giving a gift of his cloak to a man with a Michelangelo-like pose seen from behind, to the same saint is linked the figure of the cripple at the bottom , this episode too is a reference to the hagiography of Martin, an emblem of the "Cure the Sick." The man drinking from a donkey jaw is Samson , put there to represent "Giving drink to the thirsty" , in the desert he drank water made to flow miraculously by the Lord. Finally "Accommodating pilgrims" summed up by two figures: the man on the far left pointing outward, and another who by the attribute of the shell on his hat (a sign of pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela) is easily identified with a pilgrim.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The masterpiece is preserved at the Pio Monte della Misericordia in Naples, where it serves as the centerpiece altarpiece. This is a must-visit destination for art lovers exploring the city's religious and artistic heritage.
Unlike the standard six Works of Mercy from Matthew's Gospel, this composition adds a seventh work—the burial of the dead—which became critical to Naples following a devastating famine. This addition reflects the painting's direct response to the city's historical suffering and social needs.
The artwork weaves together multiple historical narratives, including the story of Cimon and Pero (feeding the hungry and visiting the imprisoned), Saint Martin of Tours giving his cloak (dressing the unclothed), and Samson drinking miraculously in the desert (giving drink to the thirsty). Each figure is carefully chosen to represent both the works of mercy and significant religious and cultural references.
The painting is organized spatially with 'Burying the Dead' on the right, the dual scene of Cimon and Pero in the center, and 'Dressing the Unclothed' featuring Saint Martin on the left. Look for specific symbols like the shell on a pilgrim's hat representing Santiago de Compostela, and the donkey jaw held by Samson to help distinguish each mercy being depicted.
The Basilica of St. Nicholas in Prison was built on the same site where the ancient Temple of Piety once stood, which itself was erected to honor the magistrates' pardon of Cimon—a story directly depicted in the painting. This historical layering connects the artwork to Naples' rich spiritual and architectural heritage spanning centuries.