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Restoration of Corrado Cagli's Mural 'Corsa dei Barberi' at Castel dei Cesari in Rome

cultural-heritage · 2026-05-04

A restoration project is underway for Corrado Cagli's mural 'Corsa dei Barberi' at Castel dei Cesari in Rome, now home to the Accademia Nazionale di Danza. The mural, created in 1935, was censored by the Fascist regime for thematic inadequacy but saved by Cagli behind a drywall. The restoration is sponsored by the Ruth Stanton Foundation of New York and involves the Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro (ISCR). The project aims to preserve the artwork and promote the historical and cultural significance of the site. A public presentation is scheduled for December 10 at the Accademia Nazionale di Danza, with Ester Coen, Maria Enrica Palmieri, Francesco Scoppola, Luigi Ficacci, and Stefano Pighini in attendance.

Key facts

  • Corrado Cagli created the mural 'Corsa dei Barberi' in 1935 at Castel dei Cesari in Rome.
  • The mural depicts the Barberi horse race, a traditional Roman carnival event.
  • Cagli collaborated with Mirko Basaldella and Aldo Salvadori on the mural.
  • The Fascist regime ordered the destruction of the murals for thematic inadequacy.
  • Cagli preserved the mural by building a drywall in front of it.
  • The mural was uncovered in 1945 at the request of Mirko Basaldella.
  • The restoration is sponsored by the Ruth Stanton Foundation of New York.
  • The Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro (ISCR) is conducting the restoration.
  • The project will be presented on December 10 at the Accademia Nazionale di Danza.
  • Ester Coen, president of the Accademia Nazionale di Danza, promoted the restoration.

Entities

Artists

  • Corrado Cagli
  • Mirko Basaldella
  • Aldo Salvadori
  • Campigli
  • Carrà
  • Funi
  • Sironi

Institutions

  • Accademia Nazionale di Danza
  • Ruth Stanton Foundation
  • Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro (ISCR)
  • MiBAC
  • Opera Nazionale Balilla
  • MIAR (Movimento Italiano Architettura Razionale)
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • Castel dei Cesari
  • Aventino
  • New York
  • United States

Sources