Gian Marco Montesano to Paint Special Palio for WWI Centenary in Siena

On October 20, 2018, Siena will celebrate a remarkable Palio to mark the 100th anniversary of World War I. The event will showcase a banner created by Gian Marco Montesano, an artist born in Turin in 1949, who is known for his work as a painter, writer, and theater director. Montesano, a participant in the Venice Biennale, delves into themes of war and totalitarianism in his art. He remarked that the commemorative Palio reflects on soldiers and war as a profound human tragedy, highlighting the importance of World War I for Europe. The selection of Montesano came after discussions regarding the artistic merit of the Palio banner. Earlier in 2018, the Drago contrada triumphed on July 2, followed by the Lupa contrada on August 16.