Design for the high altar of the Gesù Nuovo, Naples 1700 - 1773

Luigi Vanvitelli made this design for the high altar of the Gesù Nuovo in Naples as a precise drawing with pencil and ink on paper. The architecture of the altar design emerges through a network of lines and measured proportions, underscoring the immense labor required to realize such a structure. The columns, arches, and ornate details weren't just aesthetic choices, but were physical realities demanding vast material resources. The design reflects the cultural significance of the church as a place of worship and a symbol of religious authority, alongside that of fine arts and classical architecture. These elements are tied to social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. This elaborate design suggests a context in which no expense was spared in honoring God and the Catholic Church. Understanding the drawing and potential creation of this altar requires us to appreciate the social dynamics and economies involved, breaking down the division between the fine arts of design and the labor of making.