Palermo's Quadricentennial Celebrations of Saint Rosalia with Exhibitions and Events
Palermo is marking the 400th anniversary of the veneration of Saint Rosalia, whose relics were discovered in 1624 amid a plague outbreak. Highlights of the celebration include the release of "Vita di Rosalia" by Davide Camarrone and Francesco De Grandi (Silvana Editoriale, 2024) and the "Diva Rosalia" exhibition at the Oratorio dei Bianchi, curated by Vincenzo Abbate, showcasing works from artists such as Antoon van Dyck and Pietro Novelli. The exhibition features a restored terracotta bust from the 18th century, along with various drawings and devotional items. The annual Festino di Santa Rosalia will take place on July 14-15, featuring a parade, music, and fireworks. Giacomo Rizzo's 2024 float has received criticism, while Jannis Kounellis created a significant float in 2007.
Key facts
- The cult of Saint Rosalia in Palermo celebrates its 400th anniversary in 2024.
- The exhibition 'Diva Rosalia' runs at the Oratorio dei Bianchi, curated by a committee led by Vincenzo Abbate.
- The show includes about 100 works from the deposits of Palazzo Abatellis.
- A restored 18th-century anonymous terracotta bust of Saint Rosalia is displayed.
- Antoon van Dyck's 'Santa Rosalia incoronata dagli angeli' (1624) is exhibited.
- Van Dyck's drawings for the saint are held at the British Museum.
- The Festino di Santa Rosalia takes place annually on July 14-15.
- The 2024 float by Giacomo Rizzo was criticized as mediocre.
- Jannis Kounellis designed a notable float in 2007.
- The exhibition includes a section on triumphal floats and popular devotion objects.
Entities
Artists
- Davide Camarrone
- Francesco De Grandi
- Antoon van Dyck
- Pietro Novelli
- Riccardo Quartararo
- Pietro D'Asaro
- Agatino Sozzi
- Mariano Smiriglio
- Antonino Grano
- Giacomo Amato
- Giulio Bonomo
- Jannis Kounellis
- Giacomo Rizzo
- Annetta Turrisi Colonna
- Cornelis Gallae
- Philippe de Mallery
- Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia
- Rosalia Sinibaldi
- Helga Marsala
- Vincenzo Abbate
- Maddalena De Luca
- Valeria Sola
- Gaetano Bongiovanni
- Maria Reginella
- Antonino Salinas
Institutions
- Palazzo Abatellis
- Galleria Regionale di Palazzo Abatellis
- Oratorio dei Bianchi
- Dulwich Picture Gallery
- British Museum
- Museo del Prado
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Kunsthistorisches Museum
- Museo de Arte de Ponce
- Silvana Editoriale
- Artribune
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Palermo
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma
Locations
- Palermo
- Italy
- Sicily
- Monte Pellegrino
- Santo Stefano di Quisquina
- Agrigento
- Anversa
- Genoa
- London
- Vienna
- Puerto Rico
- Porta Felice
- Cassaro
- Oratorio del SS. Rosario in S. Domenico
- Cappella di S. Rosalia in S. Ignazio all'Olivella