Francesco De Grandi's Palio drappellone won by Valdimontone in Siena

The August 2025 Palio di Siena, dedicated to the Madonna dell'Assunta, featured a drappellone (ceremonial banner) by Sicilian painter Francesco De Grandi (b. 1968). The banner, presented on August 10 in the Cortile del Podestà of Palazzo Pubblico, depicts a contemporary Madonna and a celestial horse race, blending sacred and profane, tradition and modernity. It was won on August 16 by the Valdimontone contrada, thanks to jockey Giuseppe Zedde ("Gingillo"), marking their first victory since August 2012. De Grandi joins four other Sicilian artists who previously created the banner: Renato Guttuso (1971), Bruno Caruso (1984), Salvatore Fiume (1986), and Salvo (1998). The banner was blessed by Archbishop Paolo Lojudice in the Cathedral, and the race was narrated by Franco Masoni. Helga Marsala provided critical commentary. The drappellone is described as a unique ritual object, not merely an artwork, but a symbol of community identity.