- you are here: Home
- Hidden Treasures
- The wax busts in the Sacristy of the Redentore Church in Venice.
The wax busts in the Sacristy of the Redentore Church in Venice.
Unknown places & works
The wax busts in the Sacristy of the Redentore Church in Venice.
The Palladian Redentore Church in Venice, known for the July celebration held every year, houses in its sacristy some rather unusual and somehow macabre objects. They can be viewed under request, but beware! If you are squeamish, ignore this…
We are referring to 12 wax busts made in the 19th century, representing Capuchin monks (a religious order which owns the Redentore Church), beatified or canonized, and St Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order from which the Capuchin order originates.
These busts were used for devotional purposes but also as an example for the friars of the convent.
They were built in order to look as real as possible: they have in fact Murano glass eyes, pointing upwards or downwards, beards, mustaches and real hair and thorn wreaths , likewise the Saint Veronica Abbess de Julia - a unique feature of this peculiar religious iconography.
A slightly ‘pulp' representation that has been recently rediscovered thanks to the wax portraits exhibition from 19th and 20th century at Palazzo Fortunity… Visiting is on request at the Chorus ticket office at the Redentore Church.
- Google+
- tumblr
Search posts
Latest posts
Venice: What happened on May 16 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, the Saint of the Day is St. Boldo (St. Ubald Bishop) a church was dedicated to the Sain...
ViewVenice: What happened on May 1 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, today’s Saints are Sts. Philip and James, Apostles and Saint Scholastica, of whom ther...
ViewVenice: What happened on April 25 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, the Saint of the Day is St. Mark, Evangelist, Patron Saint of Venice It is the First Fea...
ViewVenice: What happened on April 20 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, the Saint of the Day is St. Victor. - April 20, 1797: capture of the French friga...
ViewTop posts
Venice: 10 songs that will make you think of Venice

Did you know that...
Sometimes we hear the first few lines of a song and our minds are suddenly transported back to a place, a memory or a dream. We put tog...
ViewPadua: Vò Euganeo: a place to be discovered

Unknown places & works
In the last few months there has been much talking around the small town of Vò, in the province of Padua. It was at the center of ever...
ViewVenice: 10 must-see movies filmed in Venice

Film Locations
Venice is unique amongst world cities and every year it turns into a dream-like experience for scores of tourists thanks to its timeles...
ViewChioggia: The Valley of the Seven Dead Men

Mysteries & Legends
Halloween is just around the corner: have you already got into the fascinating terrifying aura of the scariest party of the year? No ye...
View