Cod: 449064

Period: 17th century

Carlo d'Aprile (Genoa, 1621-Palermo, 1668) A rare set of five inlaid marble elements ("Marmi mischi"). Sicily, mid-17th century. These elements are reminiscent of the precious marble inlays found in the Church of the Gesù (also known as Casa Professa), the Church of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, and the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Palermo. Further analogies can be found with the works from Carlo D'Aprile's workshop, based on designs by Gasparo Guercio, in the Chapel of Saint Gemma Galgani in the Church of Sant'Ignazio all'Olivella in Palermo. These decorations, referred to as "marmi mischi" (marble inlays) in ancient historiographical documents, were likely imported to the island by Tuscan artisans. They are characterized by a black *paragone* background (unlike Neapolitan examples which often featured polychrome backgrounds) with naturalistic motifs in white (from Carrara), yellow (from Castronovo, often reddish after firing), red (from Piana dei Greci), and gray (*bardiglio* from Carrara). Measurements Left friezes: height 112 cm x width 17.5 cm Right friezes: height 135 cm x width 17.5 cm Top cornice: length approx. 225 cm, height approx. 25 cm