Currently Inspired By: Roman Catholic ossuaries

When I was in Rome with my family a few summers ago, our guide took us to this place he prefaced with the statement: “I don’t usually bring my visitors here, but I figured you could handle it.” He knew me too well! The Cimitero dei Cappuccini is a crypt below the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione that has been adorned with the bones and skeletal remains of 4,000 Capuchin monks. Probably one of the most beautifully macabre sights I have ever seen. A plaque in the chapel reads: “What you are now, we used to be. What we are now, you will be.” I wish I could have taken photos of my own, but unfortunately since they don’t allow pictures inside the crypt, I only have a shaky shot-from-the-hip photo my dad managed to inconspicuously snap.

I’m currently working on a new charcoal drawing of skulls, inspired by this place.

It’s definitely on my bucket list to visit here again and explore a few of the other ossuaries in Europe.