 |
Back to previous exhibits |
I Martiri tra noi
Relics
and reliquaries in Alto Verbano (Lombardy)
June
25 thru September 3, 2000
Catalog published by Civico Museo Parisi Valle – Maccagno
For any Christian a martyr – from the Greek word
meaning “witness” - is a person
who sacrifices his or her life for their faith. Throughout the centuries, the
memory of those who were martyred has been preserved by respectfully keeping
their mortal remains in precious reliquaries.
Jubilee 2000 is the right occasion to rediscover the roots of a religiousness
that has never disappeared, even if today’s hectic life makes us forget about
it most of the time.
This initiative wants to draw people’s attention to this expression of cult
and culture by collecting a significant selection of these sacred objects that
come from several churches of Alto Verbano.
Besides, the cultural and artistic aspects of these
sometimes ancient works – which Christians created out of devotion to martyrs
- deserve the attention of anybody who has an interest in art.
The research that was carried out throughout the
Alto Verbano territory resulted in the discovery of many works that were
previously little or not known at all; the level of most of them is high, both
in terms of technique and quality.
The artists’ skill in carving wood and chiseling metals is often enhanced by
the use of precious materials.
These
works have always been hidden in order to protect them, and their very existence
is unknown to most people; therefore, this is a unique opportunity for everybody
to be reminded of the faith and artistic skills of our ancestors.
The “Compianto” of the church of Maccagno (two
wooden statues representing St. Giovanni and the Virgin Mary under the crucifix)
is surrounded by many reliquaries of various shapes and sizes; they bear witness
to faith and devotion that resulted in a vast production that developed in our
territory since the seventeenth century.
A catalog of the exhibit – published by Civico Museo Parisi Valle
- is available; it features an introduction written by Oleg Zastrow (organizer
of the exhibit) and don Gabriele Crenna.
The
exhibition will be open from June 25 through September 3, 2000 every day from
14.00 to 18.00 except on Mondays.
 |
Back to top |
