Drappellone by Roberto Di Jullo presented

Yesterday evening, June 26, at 7 pm, the Drappellone, painted by Roberto Di Jullo, was presented at the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena.
Roberto Di Jullo’s Drappellone synthesizes Sienese history and traditions, but with the added value of conveying intense sensations. It is an elegant but also delicate didactic painting with great respect for tradition and no shortage of historical drawings of the city.

Above we see the face of a childlike Madonna with a veil wrapped in an aura of golden light and a dedication: A te advocata nostra. In addition, a blue rose whose petals contain two initials, those of the names of his wife Paola and son Robert.

At the bottom, almost in dialogue with the Virgin, a knight who vigorously extends his arm to the sky. He wears armor marked with the letter F. Another tribute from the master to his other son Federico, who died early. He appears to be a protagonist in the historic battle of Montaperti, where in 1260 the Ghibelline troops of Siena defeated those of the Guelfs of Florence.

In the center of the banner we see a group of 10 horses, a stylistic element of Di Jullo. They convey strength and élan. Qualities required on a battlefield, be it Montaperti or the Piazza del Campo. But also fluidity. The other figurative figure of the painter from Molise. Rossen and horses represented in a moment of war where a chromaticism dominates, which is a clear reference to the colors of the tuff on which the Sienese wage their very personal “war” of love and passion twice a year. In the midst of this tumult of muscles, hooves and heads, another important fragment from the story of this artist who saw the wish come true to paint the Palio. A story entrusted again to the symbolism with the coat of arms of Pescocostanzo, the city in which he works, that of Siena, with which he fell in love, of his native region and finally of the Tuscan region.
The boundary between the lively battlefield, a place populated only by men and horses, and the figurative one that describes “waiting” is traced by a canvas painted with a 3D effect. This third chapter is all about women. A true tribute to women. Round and full bodies that refer to the Bàrberi, the wooden balls painted with the colors of the Contrade with which the Sienese children play Palio.

Girls and mothers with their little ones, wrapped, almost protected, by the flags that indicate the 10 “sisters” who will compete in the square. The contrada heraldry represents their name. The expressions on their faces reveal the pathos of waiting, the desire for victory.
Roberto Di Jullo has undoubtedly succeeded in his work in synthesizing Sienese history and traditions, but with the added value of conveying intense sensations to the viewer.

In addition to the Drappellone, the Masgalano was also presented. As is known, this prize goes to the contrada that presents itself most beautifully during the two Corteo Storici. The prize was created by Laboratorio orafo “Il Galeone” and presented by the Archivisti delle 17 Contrade; this to highlight the documentary heritage of the Contrade.