Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs, Religious chapel in Peillon, France
The Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs is a chapel with a central nave and sanctuary, featuring vaulted ceilings and architectural elements spanning multiple construction periods. The interior is defined by its painted walls that completely dominate the space.
The building was constructed in the last quarter of the 15th century and underwent significant changes during the 16th and 17th centuries. These modifications primarily affected the nave and the sacristy.
The walls feature tempera paintings from the 15th century by Piedmontese artists depicting eight scenes from the Passion of Christ. These frescoes are the focus of the interior and show religious narratives through detailed figurative scenes.
The chapel can be explored during a visit to the small mountain village, keeping in mind its location in the Alpes-Maritimes. It sits within the village and is integrated into the local settlement.
The central apse features a Pietà showing Mary holding Christ, surrounded by saint figures, displaying artistic influences from a neighboring chapel. This motif stands apart in its compositional arrangement from the other Passion scenes in the space.
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