Riccardo Manganelli’s Drappellone presented

The Drappellone of the Palio of July 2, 2025, dedicated to the Madonna di Provenzano and to the quincentenary of the Accademia degli Intronati of Siena, made by Riccardo Manganelli, was presented yesterday evening, Thursday, June 26, in the Cortile del Podestà.

After the trumpets of the Palazzo and the introduction of Nicoletta Fabio, mayor of Siena, it was Giovanni Mazzini, archivist of the State Archive of Siena, who illustrated the work that will enrich the museum of the Contrada, which will win the Palio of July 2. Then it was the turn of the artist Riccardo Manganelli himself.

The Cencio by Riccardo Manganelli presents three visual planes. In the foreground, at the bottom, the horse seen from three-quarters, surrounded by hands: it is relaxed, it is at the moment when it is caressed and cuddled in the Contrada; after all, stroking a horse is the most natural gesture for a child when he sees the animal for the first time in the stable.

The Madonna of Provenzano is placed in the middle level: it is our veiled queen, dressed in gold and white, crowned by two winged cupids and the ritual coats of arms, with two other winged cupids below holding a stone with the symbol of the Accademia degli Intronati. The background is in the colours of the tufo (sand).

The coats of arms of the participating Contrade are at the top, on the sides of the Madonna; they are the classical coats of arms, but the entire bestiary was restudied by the artist for the occasion.

The Masgalano, the prize for the most beautifully presented Contrada during the 2 Corteo Storico’s was also presented. It was made by Laura Brocchi and offered by the Associazione Storica Palcaioli di Siena and by the Associazione Palcaioli Senesi.