Blind sculptor recreates untouchable masterpiece

By Barbara Cornell – published by Reuters

When blind sculptor Felice Tagliaferri was forbidden to touch one of Italy's most famous statues, he decided revenge was best served not just cold, but stone cold.

In May 2008, Tagliaferri visited the Sansevero Chapel, eager to experience its famous "Veiled Christ" in the only way a blind person can: by touching it. He was blocked, despite his protests that he was a professional sculptor who would do no damage.

Tagliaferri (41) spent two years creating his marble interpretation of "Cristo Velato," or "Veiled Christ," a 1753 masterpiece that he has neither seen nor touched - Giuseppe Sanmartino's exquisitely detailed sculpture of the body of Christ lying wrapped in a fine shroud is one of the prime tourist attractions in Naples.

The result is a powerfully rendered life-sized Jesus that Tagliaferri puns on and calls "Cristo (ri)Velato," or "Christ Revealed." Like the 258-year-old sculpture that inspired it, it is shockingly realistic. His Christ is more athletic than the original, the veil smooth instead of textured to convey a sense of transparency to blind people.

Tagliaferri’s "Christ Revealed" started as a small clay model on which sighted artists advised Tagliaferri how to position the body. He raised 16,000 Euros through dinner-in-the-dark events and bought a 4,000-kg block of Carrara marble that measured 1.9 meters long by 50 cm high and 1 meter wide. He asked a friend to stretch out on top then measured the body.

"There are so many messages. One is that a block of marble isn't ruined when it is lightly touched by expert hands," he said. "Second, disabled people are sick and tired of waiting for others to decide and tell them what they can and cannot do."

"Christ Revealed" began a national tour at the Royal Palace in Naples in February. "It's forbidden not to touch," Tagliaferri said.

Reposted by permission from South African National Council for the Blind