From the Can these bones live? article in Ha'aretz:
"This is an example of `burial art' - typically English - actually the work of a German friar who lived here." These are the words of a tourist who visited Rome in 1775, describing what he saw at the Cimitero dei Capuccini, the Capuchin catacombs near Piazza Barberini. The tourist was the Marquis de Sade, and the person who took him to visit this subterranean crypt under the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione apparently knew just what his guest would like.
The art hanging on the walls of the catacomb no doubt supplied the marquis with lots of inspiration. It is still on show today, in five rooms jam- packed with delicate sculptures crafted from thousands of monks' bones.
The Marquis de Sade wrote about his experiences in a travel diary called "Voyage d'Italie." It is not easy to find this book, but the brochure put out by the church for visitors to the catacombs contains quotes from it.
"Burial art" revolving around the display of skulls or bones is not unusual in the Christian world. Here and there, it can be found in the crypts of churches - a reminder of death lurking around the corner, but at the same time, offering hope for the dead, based on the belief that those who have died will be resurrected after the Second Coming. [continue]
Related links:
Capuccini Monastery, Palermo
Dressed for eternity