Modena, St. Charles Church:
The Presbytery

Modena, Fondazione Collegio S. Carlo, St. Charles Church: the presbytery. A rich example of Baroque style, it is characterized by an imposing stucco decoration depicting the allegory of the Triumph of Faith, a 1699 work by Antonio Traeri, known as Cestellino. Above, between two allegorical female figures, and supported by clouds and two cherubs, is the figure of Faith with a large, sunburst halo and a processional cross in her hands. All around are decorative architectural motifs and festoons, among which appear four cherubs modeled in the round, holding a draped curtain that forms a light, airy canopy supported by three flying cherubs. The large canvas at the bottom, with a concave profile that follows the contours of the apse, depicts St. Charles imploring Mary for the plague victims. It is a work dating back to before 1701 by Marcantonio Franceschini, a painter active primarily in Bologna, his native city, and who became famous in Modena for his ceiling decorations in the Hall of Honor of the Ducal Palace. To the sides of the imploring figure of Saint Charles Borromeo are two dramatic scenes of plague victims. Flanking the painting are two statues, also by Traeri, with assistants: Charity on the left and Hope (or Sacred Love) on the right.