Jan Fabre’s Coral Sculptures Permanently Installed at Pio Monte della Misericordia in Naples

The Pio Monte della Misericordia in Naples, home to Caravaggio’s masterpiece "Le Sette Opere della Misericordia" (The Seven Works of Mercy), now features a permanent installation of four coral sculptures by Belgian artist Jan Fabre (born 1958 in Antwerp). The works, covered in red coral in the form of roses, pearls, half-pearls, and small horns, were created specifically for the institute’s chapel and have been on view since December 22. Each sculpture incorporates symbolic elements such as lilies (purity) and doves (Holy Spirit), designed to engage in a stimulating dialogue with the 17th-century paintings already present in the chapels. The installation follows a successful temporary exhibition from April to September, where Fabre’s work "L’uomo che sorregge la croce" (The Man Holding the Cross) was displayed in the chapel as part of the solo show "Oro Rosso" (Red Gold), organized in collaboration with the Museo di Capodimonte and curated by Melania Rossi. The earlier exhibition drew large crowds, praised for how the work harmonized aesthetically, formally, conceptually, and spiritually with the church context. This led to the decision to create a permanent ensemble of new works in the chapel.