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.