Jan Fabre's coral installations placed in two Naples churches

On March 2, 2023, two large coral installations by Belgian artist Jan Fabre were installed in Naples: 'Per Eusebia' in the Real Cappella del Tesoro di San Gennaro and 'Il numero 85 (con ali d'angelo)' in the Church of Santa Maria delle Anime del Purgatorio ad Arco. Both works, created in 2022, were donated by the artist along with industrialist Gianfranco D'Amato and Vincenzo Liverino, a board member of the World Jewellery Confederation. The installations were curated by Melania Rossi. 'Per Eusebia' is a large carved panel of Mediterranean red coral placed in the Antisacrestia of the Cappella del Tesoro, near paintings by Domenichino and Lanfranco and over 50 sculptures. The work references Saint Januarius, with a coral mitre surrounded by tongues of fire, two keys, and two ampoules dripping blood. 'Il numero 85 (con ali d'angelo)' occupies a niche left of the altar in the Church of Santa Maria delle Anime del Purgatorio on Via dei Tribunali. It features a human skull with long wings and the number 85 on the forehead, representing souls in Purgatory, and connects to the 1669 sculpture 'Teschio Alato' by Dionisio Lazzari. The works engage with Neapolitan Baroque traditions and the cult of souls.