CHIESA SANTA MARIA DELLA PIETA
Latest update: 19 March 2022
CHIESA SANTA MARIA DELLA PIETA
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Church of Santa Maria della Pietà
Constructed: 19th century
Style: Neoclassical
Location: Via Corso Luigi Manzi, Casamicciola
After the devastating earthquake of 1883, which destroyed so much of Casamicciola, the congregation of the ancient Oratory and Parish at Maio, which had existed since the 17th c, relocated to the Church of San Giovanni alla Marina – this was later abandoned and through the negotiations of the Priest, Saverio Iaccarino, they transferred to the Church of Santa Maria della Pieta.
The simple façade of pilasters, entablature and pediment, has a central doorway and segmental window above. The interior follows a basilica plan with flat wooden roof over the nave and similar roof over the choir. Rectangular clerestory windows with modern stain glass, help to light the nave, with two rows of 19th c wooden seats which face each other, on either side. A chancel arch separates the nave from the eastern end.
The lateral walls are decorated with images illustrating the seven sorrows of Mary. The main altar, created for the new church, is rather fine, approached by a few steps, raising it above the floor of the nave, with a segmental pediment and half-columns, creating a formal frame for the focal point and artistic gem of the Church and probably of the Island of Ischia,. This is the wonderful painting of the Pieta, 17thc by the Neopolitan artist, Andrea Vaccaro (1600 – 1670), the only painting to survive the earthquake and brought to the new church by the parishoners of Maio.
The sensitive chiaroscuro, gives the image a 3D quality, dominated by the lifeless form of Christ, whose pale skin is contrasted by the ruddy complexions of those who hold him. Mary, in her robe of deep blue, falls back, as others lean forward, light catching the bald head of the figure on the left. The painting has been compared to the work of Caravaggio in its emotive power.
Constructed: 19th century
Style: Neoclassical
Location: Via Corso Luigi Manzi, Casamicciola
After the devastating earthquake of 1883, which destroyed so much of Casamicciola, the congregation of the ancient Oratory and Parish at Maio, which had existed since the 17th c, relocated to the Church of San Giovanni alla Marina – this was later abandoned and through the negotiations of the Priest, Saverio Iaccarino, they transferred to the Church of Santa Maria della Pieta.
The simple façade of pilasters, entablature and pediment, has a central doorway and segmental window above. The interior follows a basilica plan with flat wooden roof over the nave and similar roof over the choir. Rectangular clerestory windows with modern stain glass, help to light the nave, with two rows of 19th c wooden seats which face each other, on either side. A chancel arch separates the nave from the eastern end.
The lateral walls are decorated with images illustrating the seven sorrows of Mary. The main altar, created for the new church, is rather fine, approached by a few steps, raising it above the floor of the nave, with a segmental pediment and half-columns, creating a formal frame for the focal point and artistic gem of the Church and probably of the Island of Ischia,. This is the wonderful painting of the Pieta, 17thc by the Neopolitan artist, Andrea Vaccaro (1600 – 1670), the only painting to survive the earthquake and brought to the new church by the parishoners of Maio.
The sensitive chiaroscuro, gives the image a 3D quality, dominated by the lifeless form of Christ, whose pale skin is contrasted by the ruddy complexions of those who hold him. Mary, in her robe of deep blue, falls back, as others lean forward, light catching the bald head of the figure on the left. The painting has been compared to the work of Caravaggio in its emotive power.
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