Sette opere per la misericordia

“Seven Works of Mercy,” echoing the title of the masterpiece by Seven Works of Mercy by Caravaggio—commissioned and housed at the stunning Pio Monte della Misericordia on its privileged High Altar—aims to renew and strengthen the historic relationship with contemporary art.

The project unfolds through two parallel initiatives: a competition dedicated to emerging young artists, featuring an exhibition of the selected works, and the presentation and donation of artworks by seven internationally renowned contemporary artists, which will be unveiled to the public this coming June.

The seven international artists who have donated their works for this seventh edition—now becoming part of the Pio Monte’s contemporary art collection—are Beatrice Caracciolo, Edgar Honetschläger, Andrew Huston, Mariko Mori, Carsten Nicolai, Serena Scapagnini, and Juergen Teller.

The core idea behind the entire project is to continue the path established by the institution’s founders, reinforcing its connection with contemporary artists—just as it did four centuries ago with Caravaggio, Battistello Caracciolo, and other masters of that era. For six previous editions, seven international artists have been invited to create and donate an artwork, thereby sharing in the mission of the institution.

Starting June 13, the works from this seventh edition will be displayed in a major exhibition within the church, surrounding Caravaggio’s masterpiece, before being permanently placed in the gallery under the designation “Gift of the Artist.”

Each artist, working in their chosen medium, contributes through their donation to promote the mission and activities of the Pio Monte della Misericordia—an institution that, since its founding, has maintained a deep and intrinsic connection with the world of art.