Sacred Art Collection

The Sacred Art Fund of the Ingrao Collection is one of the permanent exhibitions that are located inside the Municipal Art Gallery. 

The Sacred Art Fund boasts 45 sculptures and 8 paintings, which show the aesthetic sensitivity and sense of religiosity of Francesco Paolo Ingrao. Seven wooden sculptures representing the Crucifixion are on display inside an "apse", the fulcrum of any religious celebration and emblem of Christianity. The Crucifixes, small in size because they were hanged on the walls of private rooms, are dated between the 16th and 18th centuries. Three of them represent the "living Christ", captured in the moment of maximum suffering immediately before his death; the other represent the "Dead Christ", with his head resting on his right shoulder, immortalized after having exhaled his last breath. The Crucifix that the collector kept above his bed stands out among all.

Among the most significant works there is also is the armless wooden half-bust of the "Holy Monk", which seems to be inspired by the Sienese proto-Renaissance style. The sculpture may be attributed to the school of Francesco da Valdambrino (15th century), made with a single block of walnut and just sketched on the back, probably because it was intended to be placed inside a niche.

A statue of Saint Anthony of Padua from the sixteenth century attracts the visitor's attention, especially for its size (over 120 centimeters) and its impressive carving. The Holy Monk is depicted with his right hand on his chest, while the left holds a book on which, presumably, a Baby Jesus, now lost, rested.

The Sacred Art Fund also boasts a small oil painting from the school of Ludovico Cardi, known as Cigoli from the second half of the 16th century, depicting "the Ecstasy of St. Francis". The painting represents an episode from the "Fioretti di San Francesco": the Saint is portrayed slumped to the ground, while he turns a pleading gaze towards the sky asking God to alleviate his suffering. A musician angel with large wings appears and brings comfort to Saint Francis with his violin.