Oratorio Della Carità

The themes of the frescoes, scenes from the Holy Scriptures foreshadowing the seven Spiritual Works of Mercy and the seven Corporal Works of Mercy, were developed between 1593 and 1602 by Padre Filippo Gesualdi, Minister General of the Conventual Friars Minor. The iconography is closely linked to the dictates of the Counter-Reformation: observance of historical reality, adherence of the setting to family life, utilization of simple and understandable themes through images with devotional content. The chosen episodes are extensively represented thanks to the richness of details provided by the texts and are in full conformity with the decisions of the Council of Trent (1545-1563) which placed man's salvation through good works, therefore the works of mercy assumed the meaning of "exempla" with the intention of pointing out to the brothers concrete commitments of charity and human solidarity.