Italian Architect Ivo Enrico Poluzzi shares his passion for architecture history in a series of presentations dedicated to inspirational Italian buildings. After the success of the Capri’s Villa Malaparte lecture, the second event will take us on a trip to Naples’ baroque marvel, the Sansevero Chapel, revealing its history, its masterpieces and curious facts about its ingenious and controversial creator, Raimondo di Sangro, whose personality dictated both the spaces and the artistic themes for the sculptors and architects who then translated them into exceptional works of art.
The Sansevero Chapel in Naples is a jewel of the world’s artistic heritage. Here, baroque creativity, dynastic pride, beauty, legend and mystery blend to create a unique and almost timeless atmosphere.
Its origin dates to 1590 as a private chapel built in the gardens of the Sansevero family residence. The building was converted into a family burial chapel in 1613, but its definitive form was given by the brilliant imagination and the vast, eclectic culture of Raimondo di Sangro, seventh Prince of Sansevero and a prominent figure of the Neapolitan Enlightenment, who also included Masonic and esoteric symbols in the chapel’s reconstruction.
The Sansevero Chapel, dedicated to the celebration of members of the Di Sangro House, holds some of Italy’s most celebrated sculptures, such as the Veiled Christ, a breathtaking life-sized marble sculpture created by the Italian sculptor Giuseppe Sanmartino in 1753, renowned worldwide for the remarkable tissue-like quality of the marble. Other masterpieces include the hieratic figures of Purity and Truth standing in niches opposite each other and the intriguing Anatomical Machines.
Ivo Enrico Poluzzi is an Italian architect and interior designer with thirty years of experience in high-end residential and Yacht Design sectors, in particular for luxury interiors and fitout. He earned his Master Degree in Architecture at the IUAV, the prestigious University Institute of Architecture in Venice, Italy. His works have been published by major international magazines, such as AD -Architectural Digest, Ville & Casali, Boat International, Yacht Design and Barche. He currently works in both Italy and Australia.
DATE: 20/07/23
Time: 06.00-8.00pm
Free entry. Booking required HERE