Beatus Giovanni Merlini
Beyond the Canvas: The Unveiled Secret of the New Portrait of Giovanni Merlini
Sacred art never ceases to surprise, offering new windows onto spirituality and the history of the Church. Recently, the community of the faithful and art enthusiasts welcomed with great enthusiasm the newly unveiled painting of Blessed Giovanni Merlini. This work, created by Bottega Tifernate, is not simply a portrait but a true theological and historical manifesto. The design work was carried out in accordance with the wishes of Fr. Giuseppe Pandolfo, rector of the Sanctuary, with the valuable help of surveyor Emanuele Panzetta. We chose to depict the Blessed in a solemn pose, standing, as he holds in his hands a book that on one side bears an excerpt from the decree of Pope Pius IX by which, on Merlini’s advice, he instituted the Feast of the Most Precious Blood for the whole Church, and on the other page the references to the rule of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood. This detail is no accident: it symbolizes Merlini’s unwavering fidelity to his mission and his fundamental role as a spiritual guide.
Moreover, the context in which the figure of the Blessed is set adds narrative depth to the work. The surrounding environment is not a neutral backdrop but an explicit and carefully studied reference to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mercy. Looking closely at the canvas, the viewer can notice the altar that houses the relics of Saint Gaspar del Bufalo, founder of the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood, and, in a dominant position, the icon of Our Lady. In this way, the painting creates an immediate visual bridge between Blessed Merlini and the sacred place that preserves his memory, intertwining the religious’s personal history with that of the community that venerates him.
A Sanctuary Born from the Miracle: Our Lady of Mercy
To fully grasp the value of this new painting, we must explore the place that inspired it. The Church of Saint Clare, erected in the 14th century by the Poor Clare nuns, holds a story that goes far beyond stone and mortar. The beating heart of this place is the image of Our Lady of Mercy, created in 1796 by the Rimini painter Giuseppe Soleri. However, it was May 11, 1850, that forever marked the destiny of this church. On that date, the community was shaken by an inexplicable event: the eyes of the painted Virgin began to move.
This miraculous phenomenon was not an isolated case but was repeated several times, attracting the attention of a vast crowd and the highest ecclesiastical authorities. The resonance of the event was such that Pope Pius IX decided to intervene personally. The Pontiff honored the image with a solemn coronation, donating a precious frame of gold, silver, and gemstones. From that moment, the sanctuary became a beacon of hope and devotion, transforming a simple place of worship into a pilgrimage destination recognized internationally.
The Harmony between Architecture and Faith
Following the miracle, the very architecture of the place underwent a transformation to reflect its new spiritual and devotional importance. Architect Giovanni Benedettini remodeled the Church of Saint Clare into a magnificent neoclassical sanctuary. The facade, characterized by sober elegance, features a white marble portal that contrasts splendidly with the brick facing, inviting the faithful to enter a sacred space rich in symbols.
Inside, the Latin-cross nave draws the gaze upward and toward the high altar. Every decorative detail tells a story: from the sails of the dome adorned with the prophets Isaiah, Moses, David, and Ezekiel, to the putti bearing Marian symbols. Particularly touching is the plaque located (upon entering), in the first chapel on the left, which precisely indicates the exact spot where the miracle of the eyes took place. The newly unveiled painting of Blessed Giovanni Merlini fits perfectly into this context, entering into dialogue with the fresco of the Glory of Mary in the apse and with Bilancioni’s precious sunburst, thus completing a visual journey that unites art, history, and miracle in a single, great story of faith.