Statue, San Gennaro - 40 cm - Plaster

Plaster bust painted in red depicting Saint Januarius

Saint Januarius is the patron saint of Naples, venerated since the 4th century AD. Busts and statues of the saint are deeply rooted in Neapolitan artisanal tradition, where for centuries they have been produced as devotional and decorative objects. These representations show the saint with the episcopal vestments typical, including the decorated mitre and the crosier, symbols of his ecclesiastical authority. Painted plaster is a material traditionally used for the production of popular devotional statues, particularly widespread between the 19th and 20th centuries.

The plaster busts of Saint Januarius are particularly appreciated by collectors of Neapolitan sacred art, by enthusiasts of Neapolitan culture, and by devotees of the saint. These artifacts represent an important example of Neapolitan devotional craftsmanship and are sought after both for their religious value and for their artistic quality and their link to the popular Neapolitan tradition. The production of these plaster statues continues today in the artisanal workshop s of Naples, keeping alive traditional techniques of modeling and decoration.