San Gennaro Freed Naples from the Plague 1660

Luca Giordano painted ‘San Gennaro Freed Naples from the Plague’ at a time when southern Italy was under Spanish rule, and still deeply entrenched in Counter-Reformation piety. Giordano presents us with a vision of divine intervention amidst death and suffering. San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, intercedes on behalf of the city, appealing to Christ and the Virgin Mary, while an avenging angel hovers, sword raised, ready to strike. Below, the bodies of plague victims are strewn across the landscape, stark reminders of human vulnerability. The painting encapsulates the helplessness and despair experienced by a population ravaged by disease, coupled with a fervent hope for salvation through faith. The saint becomes a point of emotional connection. His plea is a mirror of the communities’ cry for mercy. As you consider this painting, reflect on the power of collective belief in times of crisis, and how art can serve as both a mirror and a beacon during humanity’s darkest hours.