Focus on this artwork and explain the Sansevero Chapel.
Modesty is one of two sculptures Corradini completed for the Sansevero Chapel, both a part of a ten-statue series of the Virtues. The veiled female figure embodies modesty but can also be considered a representation of wisdom. There is a clear reference to the veiled statue of Isis at Sais in Egypt. It is said that there is a quote on the ancient statue that reads "I am past, present, and future…". This allegory furthers Modesty's aspect of wisdom and the statue is often referred to as Veiled Truth. The symbols such as the cracked plaque illustrate her life being cut too short. On the pedestal that the statue stands there is a relief of a biblical scene of Christ appearing to Mary Magdalene as a gardener portraying the importance of the Christian faith to the family. Corradini's other work is Decorum, which is also in the series of virtues. Decorum is a depiction of a youthful male nude scantily clothed in lion skin. He was also commissioned to make the piece Veiled Christ for the chapel but it was completed by Giuseppe Sanmartino instead when Corradini died suddenly. His two statues line the wall of Sansevero along with eight others. Modesty is positioned in its original location giving viewers the ability to see the statue in its intended arrangement.
Mary Magdalene Veiled Christ allegory Giuseppe Sanmartino