Teodora Axente Designs Palio di Siena Banner, Honors Battle of Camollia
On 16 August, Romanian artist Teodora Axente revealed her design for the drappellone, the silk banner associated with the Palio di Siena horse race. This banner, which showcases the Virgin Mary alongside the Golden Rose, will become part of the museum collection of the victorious contrada. The background features storm clouds that symbolize the Battle of Camollia from 1526, while the city skyline highlights the Palazzo Pubblico, Torre del Mangia, and Duomo. Axente succeeds Jim Dine (2000) and Fernando Botero (2002) as the commissioned artist. At 33, Riccardo Freddo is the youngest presenter in the history of Siena. Axente's exhibition at Santa Maria della Scala has been extended to 30 August, and another at Museo Civico di Siena will be available until 27 September, with future shows planned in France (2027) and Venice (2028).
Key facts
- Teodora Axente designed the drappellone for the Palio di Siena horse race.
- The race takes place on 16 August.
- The drappellone will be awarded to the winning contrada and enter its museum collection.
- Axente's design includes the Virgin Mary, the Golden Rose, and references to the Battle of Camollia of 1526.
- The Sienese municipality appoints an artist annually to paint the drappellone.
- Previous artists include Jim Dine (2000) and Fernando Botero (2002).
- Riccardo Freddo is the youngest presenter of the drappellone in Sienese history.
- Axente's exhibition at Santa Maria della Scala is extended until 30 August.
- Another exhibition at the Museo Civico di Siena runs until 27 September.
- Axente has upcoming shows in France (2027) and Venice (2028).
Entities
Artists
- Teodora Axente
- Jim Dine
- Fernando Botero
- Ambrogio Lorenzetti
- Velázquez
Institutions
- Comune di Siena
- Gallery Rosenfeld
- Santa Maria della Scala
- Museo Civico di Siena
- The Art Newspaper
Locations
- Siena
- Italy
- London
- United Kingdom
- Piazza del Campo
- France
- Venice