Tabernacle at via de’ Canacci corner with via della Scala

Via de' Canacci
corner via della Scala

the tabernacles of florence

THE TABERNACLE

Madonna del Carmine

The image, closely linked to Carmelite spirituality, has all the peculiar elements to the popular iconography of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: the crown, also worn by the Child , the star on the mantle at shoulder height (also frequent in other iconographic types as it alludes to the epithet stella maris), the figurines of souls invoking the Virgin in the flames of Purgatory, and above all the scapular, which in the painting is supported by the Madonna and Child. The scapular, also called "abitino" ("little habit"), is a distinctive sign of Carmelite devotion to the Virgin.

Tabernacle

This tabernacle is the only one that still preserves the memory of the earthquake event of May 18, 1895. A marble plaque with the inscription AVE MARIA/RICORDO 18 MAY 1895 /REQUIEM was placed under the shrine.

THE STREET

Via de' Canacci

The street runs from Via Palazzuolo to Via della Scala. Formerly called Via Bernardina, perhaps in honor of Bernardino of Siena, it then assumed its present name to commemorate how the first houses of the Canacci family had stood here. The character of the street is residential, with buildings of popular character.

AUTHOR

Florentine Painter

(18th century)

Tibdit

Due to the image fragility, painted in oil on paper, it is now moved to the nearby church of the San Paolino convent, home of the “Carmelitani Scalzi” (“Discalced Carmelites") and therefore a most appropriate house to receive and protect this effigy.