San Giuseppe dei Teatini
Encyclopedia
San Giuseppe dei Teatini is a church in the Sicilian city of Palermo
. It is located near the Quattro Canti
, and is considered one of the most outstanding examples of the Sicilian Baroque
in Palermo
.
The church was built at the beginning of the 17th century by Giacomo Besio, a Genoese
member of the Theatines
order. It has a majestic though simple façade. In the centre niche is housed a state of San Gaetano, founder of the Theatines order. Another striking feature is the large dome with a blue and yellow majolica
covering. The tambour
decorated with double columns, and was designed by Giuseppe Mariani
. The belfry tower was designed by Paolo Amato.
The interior has a Latin cross plan with a nave and two aisles, divided by marble columns of variable height. The inner decoration is an overwhelming parade of Baroque art
, with stuccoes by Paolo Corso and Giuseppe Serpotta
. Great frescoes can be seen in the nave, in the vault of the transept: these were painted by Filippo Tancredi
, Guglielmo Borremans
and Giuseppe Velasquez. The frescoes were severely damaged during World War II
, but have been accurately restored. The most important piece of art is however a wood crucifix by Fra' Umile of Petralia.
The crypt houses remains of a former church, dedicated to Madonna of Providence.
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
. It is located near the Quattro Canti
Quattro Canti
Quattro Canti, officially known as Piazza Vigliena, is a Baroque square in Palermo, Sicily, southern Italy.It was laid out on the orders of the Viceroy the Duke of Maqueda between 1608-1620 by Giulio Lasso at the crossing of the two principal streets in Palermo, the Via Maqueda and the Corso...
, and is considered one of the most outstanding examples of the Sicilian Baroque
Sicilian Baroque
Sicilian Baroque is the distinctive form of Baroque architecture that took hold on the island of Sicily, off the southern coast of Italy, in the 17th and 18th centuries...
in Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
.
The church was built at the beginning of the 17th century by Giacomo Besio, a Genoese
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
member of the Theatines
Theatines
The Theatines or the Congregation of Clerks Regular of the Divine Providence are a male religious order of the Catholic Church, with the post-nominal initials "C.R."-Foundation:...
order. It has a majestic though simple façade. In the centre niche is housed a state of San Gaetano, founder of the Theatines order. Another striking feature is the large dome with a blue and yellow majolica
Maiolica
Maiolica is Italian tin-glazed pottery dating from the Renaissance. It is decorated in bright colours on a white background, frequently depicting historical and legendary scenes.-Name:...
covering. The tambour
Tambour
In classical architecture, a tambour is the inverted bell of the Corinthian capital around which are carved acanthus leaves for decoration....
decorated with double columns, and was designed by Giuseppe Mariani
Giuseppe Mariani
Giuseppe Mariani was an Italian art director. He was nominated for an Academy Award in the category Best Art Direction for the film The Taming of the Shrew.-Selected filmography:* The Taming of the Shrew -External links:...
. The belfry tower was designed by Paolo Amato.
The interior has a Latin cross plan with a nave and two aisles, divided by marble columns of variable height. The inner decoration is an overwhelming parade of Baroque art
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
, with stuccoes by Paolo Corso and Giuseppe Serpotta
Giuseppe Serpotta
Giuseppe Serpotta was a Sicilian sculptor, the brother of the famous stucco sculptor Giacomo Serpotta ....
. Great frescoes can be seen in the nave, in the vault of the transept: these were painted by Filippo Tancredi
Filippo Tancredi
Filippo Tancredi was an Italian painter. He was born in Messina. He trained some time in Naples, and afterwards visited Rome, where he entered the school of Carlo Maratta. He spent a great part of his life in Palermo, where he painted the ceiling of the church of the San Giuseppe dei Teatini, and...
, Guglielmo Borremans
Guglielmo Borremans
Guglielmo Borremans was a painter, born in Antwerp. He was mainly active in Italy, especially in Naples and Sicily, where he frescoed the walls and ceilings of several churches.- Life :...
and Giuseppe Velasquez. The frescoes were severely damaged during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but have been accurately restored. The most important piece of art is however a wood crucifix by Fra' Umile of Petralia.
The crypt houses remains of a former church, dedicated to Madonna of Providence.