Monument to Cecco di Sangro in the Sansevero Chapel, Naples

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of's Drawings and Prints collection, where this striking lithograph invites you into the dramatic world of Naples' Sansevero Chapel. Created between 1827 and 1850 by Francesco Wenzel and Francesco Celebrano the print reproduces the Monument to Cecco di Sang—a poignant sculptural tribute within the chapel's opulent 18th-century interior. Measuring 12⅝ × 13⅞ inches on a larger 21¼ × 14½-inch sheet, it showcases the intricate details of the original marble work through the precise lines of lithography, a revolutionary 19th-century technique that allowed affordable, high-fidelity reproductions of masterpieces for a wider audience. Lithography's greasy crayon method, drawn directly on stone, lent this image exceptional tonal range and texture, making the monument's veiled figure and allegorical elements leap off the page with lifelike depth. The Sansevero Chapel, a Baroque gem blending artistry and mystery, drew fascination for its esoteric sculptures, and this print preserves that allure for collectors and scholars. Gifted to the Met in 1941 by Miss Harriet McDonald, it bridges Neapolitan heritage with global appreciation, highlighting how prints democratized access to Europe's hidden treasures.

About the Artist

Francesco Wenzel|Francesco Celebrano (Italian|Italian) · 1720 |1827 –1793 |1850

Italian, 1720–1793|Italian, active Naples, 1827–50