vale la pena

I noticed quite a bit of skull and cross bone imagery during our October trip to the South.  I can't remember if I ever noticed it in the past, but I know I likely took more notice after reading this from my favorite blogging art historian, KC; the two images featured are from the very same places that I'd been too many times while living in Napoli but had no recollection of whatsoever.

This is from the facade of the Cappella Sansevero which houses the amazing Cristo Velato.  As far as sculpture goes, The Veiled Christ is by far one of my favorites . . . right alongside Michelangelo's prisoners lined up in the hallway leading to David in Firenze.   (No photos allowed inside the chapel.)

I overhead an Italian tour guide telling the group that legend has it that the artist, Guiseppe Sanmartino, did not include the veil;  it was laid over the completed work and "transformed" to marble.  Maybe.  It's really, really good. Click the link above. Take a look. (Then again, this explanation was in Italian & I may be a bit off with my imagined translation. That happens.) Mr. Duncan thinks that the fisherman's net of Disillusion is likewise amazing.

I would say in Italian: "Vale la pena," to find this place.  (Not exactly sure that it is exactly like an Italian might say it, though.   Last night I asked a clerk in a home improvement store if an exorbitantly priced shower head was "vale the pena."  Got my point across, if ever so incorrectly.  I don't always know because they don't always correct me . . .  but I digress.  It's worth your trouble to find the chapel for a visit.  It ain't easy.  **

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PS.  For those readers who are friends who lived those days with us in Napoli:  while visiting the chapel, we ran into Aldo . . . still kind, still happily dragging around groups of Americans,  still talking nonstop.  I have his number if you need it; he'll do privately arranged tours.

** I checked with an Italian friend, and well, while it's appropriate to say it, I should say, "Ne vale la pena."  Close but not cigar.  She went into a long explanation of "ne," I zoned out after 5 minutes.  She loves me anyhow. I'm getting it all little by little -- on the lifetime learning the language plan here.

My fingers are now moving away from the keyboard. . . that's enough.

Have a super weekend!