Exhibition “Il Capitano del Popolo” - Orvieto
A few days after the signing of the memorandum of understanding by the presidents of the Foundation for the “Claudio Faina” Museum and the “Lea Pacini” Association for the management of the Historical Parade of the City of Orvieto, aimed at developing collaborations and joint cultural and promotional initiatives, here is the first project promoted by the two cultural institutions of the city.
This is the inauguration — on Saturday, 9 April, at 10:45 a.m. — of the exhibition entitled "The Captain of the People". A historical, artistic and photographic journey set up in the spaces of the “Claudio Faina” Museum, in Piazza Duomo, which can be visited until Sunday, 19 June.
The following took part in the presentation:
- the president of the “Lea Pacini” Association, Silverio Tafuro
- the president of the Foundation for the “Claudio Faina” Museum, Daniele Di Loreto
- the mayor and Councillor for Culture of the Municipality of Orvieto, Roberta Tardani
- Paola Marabelli, vice-president of the Fondazione Arte della Seta Lisio of Florence, which, during the pandemic period, created the fabric for the new costume of the Captain of the People.
Starting from a relatively simple idea by Mrs Lea Pacini, creator of the Historical Parade, an important and precious uniform was created, rich in fine details. The need to replace part of the costume, which showed evident signs of ageing, thus offered the opportunity to celebrate the figure of the ancient army commander, after whom the imposing civic building located in the heart of the historic centre is still named today.
Thus was born "The Captain of the People", the historical, artistic and photographic journey entirely dedicated to this office, established as far back as 1250, inaugurated on Saturday, 9 April at the “Claudio Faina” Museum, directly opposite the Cathedral, where it remained on display until Sunday, 19 June. In fact, the exhibition came to life in the Historical Parade, where the new costume of the Captain of the People made its debut, giving body and soul to precious fabrics and accessories.
Credito foto: Marco Mandini e Fabio Materazzini
This is the first appearance after two years of pandemic restrictions, which have strongly affected the tradition. The exhibition is part of the memorandum of understanding signed by Silverio Tafuro, president of the “Lea Pacini” Association, and Daniele Di Loreto, president of the Foundation for the “Claudio Faina” Museum, with the aim of creating joint cultural and promotional initiatives, such as this exhibition, set up on the noble floor of the building.
Welcoming and greeting the audience at the inauguration was the president of the Foundation for the “Claudio Faina” Museum, Daniele Di Loreto: “We are pleased to give follow-up to the memorandum of understanding that was signed. This exhibition aims to be the beginning of a synergy with the “Lea Pacini” Association, where the museum space opens up to new content in order to convey its great potential.”
“The Historical Parade of Orvieto is a heritage of the city and a symbol of identity that this administration is enhancing in every form, in the belief that it can represent a means of promoting Orvieto and its traditions,” stated the Mayor and Councillor for Culture of the Municipality of Orvieto, Roberta Tardani.
This is how the president of the “Lea Pacini” Association, Silverio Tafuro, expressed it: “We are pleased to show everyone a part of the treasure represented by the Historical Parade, and we are even happier to be able to present the new costume of the Captain of the People, which marks a historic relationship with the Fondazione Lisio, to which Mrs Pacini had already turned in the past to create many costumes.”
Paola Marabelli, vice-president of the Fondazione Lisio, then spoke and highlighted “how the collaboration between the Lea Pacini Association and the Fondazione Arte della Seta Lisio of Florence is a strong one. It was a pleasure to contribute to such a heritage. The design for the weaving pattern of the Lorenzetti dates back to 1919. From the study of the paper pattern to the cutting of the fabric, a long process was undertaken to reach this point. Orvieto is a unique reality where one can perceive the meticulous care dedicated to the costumes.”
The exhibition opens, on the ground floor, with a plexiglass artwork by the artist Maurizio Rosella, created specifically for the Parade. On the noble floor, in the three dedicated rooms, seven artistic photographs by photographers Fabio Materazzini and Marco Mandini are displayed — also transformed into postcards and bookmarks available in the Museum’s bookshop — together with the two versions of the costume that preceded the current one, featuring armour in a sixteenth- and seventeenth-century style.
Credito foto: Marco Mandini e Fabio Materazzini
In addition to the photographs of the participants who have taken part over the years, the old garment is on display, worn down by time and use. And beside it, the new one, created from scratch by the Fondazione Arte della Seta Lisio of Florence, reproducing the same Lorenzetti fabric on the loom. The new costume will leave the museum shortly before the parade to take part in the much-awaited 2022 edition.
Throughout the entire duration of the exhibition, along the display route, visitors will be able to view videos telling the story of the exclusive craftsmanship of the fabrics created by the Fondazione Lisio, as well as the trailer of “Da Sempre”, the film by Orvieto-based director Giovanni Bufalini dedicated to the Corpus Domini and the Historical Parade, who for the occasion created a special edit focused specifically on the figure of the Captain of the People. Also valuable are the contributions of the “Bottega Carli” by Sergio and Andrea Carli, Opera del Duomo, Bar Hescanas and Vetreria I° Maggio.
Admission to the exhibition, which can be visited every day during the museum’s opening hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Tuesdays, is included in the museum entrance ticket. The cost is €6 for the full-price ticket and €4 for the reduced ticket, available to all members of the “Lea Pacini” Association with a valid membership.
To stay connected with the city, and beyond, on this occasion the “Lea Pacini” Association is adding to its existing social media profiles — Facebook and Instagram — the Telegram channel “Corteo Storico di Orvieto”, providing an additional way to facilitate communication and bring everyone closer to this extraordinary historical and artistic heritage.
Etruscan Museum “Claudio Faina”, Piazza Duomo, Orvieto
Exhibition “The Captain of the People”
from 9 April to 19 June 2022