ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Vitone's Prometeus: A Napoleonic Voyage on the Adriatica

other · 2026-05-26

The second episode of Vitone's Prometeus project documents a 104-hour sailing journey on the 20-meter red-hulled sailboat Adriatica, dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte's exile. The crew includes Suzy Blady and Patrizio Roversi, icons of 1980s-90s Raitre under Angelo Guglielmi. Vitone, as captain, enforces strict rules: no Wi-Fi, rationed supplies, night shifts. The voyage passes Corsica, Sardinia, and the Balearic Islands, with a swim stop at Ibiza. The narrative references historian Vittorio Criscuolo's book 'Ei Fu' (Il Mulino, 2021), which cites Chateaubriand on Napoleon's legacy. The journey ends at Gibraltar, described as a frontier place. The text blends personal reflection with historical meditation on Napoleon's final years (1814-1815), his exile to Elba and Saint Helena, and his alleged impotence.

Key facts

  • The boat Adriatica is a 20-meter sailboat with a red hull.
  • Suzy Blady and Patrizio Roversi are aboard, associated with Raitre in the 1980s-90s.
  • Angelo Guglielmi was the director of Raitre during that era.
  • The voyage lasted 104 hours.
  • The journey passed Corsica, Sardinia, and the Balearic Islands.
  • A swim stop was made at Ibiza.
  • The project is dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte's exile.
  • Vittorio Criscuolo's book 'Ei Fu' (Il Mulino, 2021) is referenced.
  • Chateaubriand is quoted in the book.
  • Napoleon's exile spanned 1814-1815.
  • Napoleon was exiled to Elba and later Saint Helena.
  • The voyage ended at Gibraltar.

Entities

Artists

  • Vitone
  • Suzy Blady
  • Patrizio Roversi

Institutions

  • Raitre
  • Il Mulino

Locations

  • Elba
  • Saint Helena
  • Corsica
  • Sardinia
  • Balearic Islands
  • Ibiza
  • Gibraltar
  • Italy
  • France
  • United Kingdom

Sources