The face of Naples

In a few days Naples will celebrate its patron saint, and whatever people may say, between skepticism and the ones who believe in it for real, it's one of those occasions which exude tradition and folklore, as it still happens in only few places in the world.

To celebrate this occasion, the Neapolitan artist Jorit Agoch has made a huge mural on the facade of a building not too far from the cathedral of the city, which is an impressive portrait of San Gennaro, with marked features, an olive skin and a very earthly look: it is a mere mortal Gennaro, a worker taken from the streets of a district of Naples, Forcella, one of the most ancient and animated. A bit like Caravaggio used to do, choosing his models among ordinary people, without even revealing their identity.

On the face of Gennaro you can read such a life, maybe lived with bitterness and a little concern, but looking up with pride and dignity: the true face of Naples is perhaps just like Gennaro, with the noble soul of a person who never gives up.

Pictures by: Sergio Siano