The curtain rises in Hall of Coats of Arms of Palazzo Malinverni in Legnano on the painting “The Milanese consuls tear and trample Barbarossa’s decree“, canvas by a painter symbol of Italian Romanticism: Francesco Hayez. The work of 1859 recalls a moment preceding the Battle of Legnano and It will remain on display until Sunday 2 June. The painting comes on loan from the Brera Academy of Fine Arts.
Photo gallery
Hayez’s canvas at Palazzo Malinverni 4 of 10
«When Professor Alessio Francesco Palmieri Marinoni proposed to the board of the Palio Foundation the possibility of having this canvas on loan for use and being able to exhibit it in this room for a long time – he explained Luca Roveda, vice-president of the Palio Foundation -, we had no doubts. It’s ua precious canvas that represents the founding values of our tradition. The Palio di Legnano is a historical re-enactment of the Battle of the Municipalities of northern Italy, Municipalities that put aside personalism and individualism to fight the Emperors.”
This canvas has not been exhibited to the public for 35 years. «For us – concluded the vice president of the Palio Foundation – it is a great pride and an honor to have her here».
The exhibition among the cultural initiatives for the city’s centenary
“AND a great emotion to be able to host this canvas. This year, on the occasion of the Centenary – underlined the mayor Lorenzo Radice -, we are trying to showcase the best of Legnano and what this city can do. We are in a year of celebration that we must also use for reflect on our identity and think about the future we want for our city. It’s a special year, let’s use it well by also taking advantage of unique opportunities like this one that’s been given to us.”
Also present at the event Diana Vaccaro, head of Artistic Heritage and Historical Archives of Banco BPM. «Today’s – said Vaccaro – is certainly a very interesting project that gives us the opportunity to create synergies with a universal language: that of art».
The story of Hayez’s work
To tell the story of the work Alessio Francesco Palmieri Marinonicoordinator of the Palio di Legnano costume commission, together with Elena Lissoni, art historian and expert on nineteenth-century painting. «The work we chose together with Dr. Lissoni – explained Palmieri Marinoni – it is the beginning of a path that will develop over several years and will accompany us from now until 2026, on the occasion of the 850th anniversary of the Battle of Legnano. It is precisely on this occasion that we want to retrace the stages that led to the Battle of Legnano».
«The choice – added Professor Lissoni – fell on a painting that it tells of a very particular moment in the struggle between the Municipalities and the Empire. It is the moment in which the imperial messenger arrives in Milan with a decree in his hands to subjugate the city, to belittle and reduce its power and autonomy. The decree is torn up and trampled on before the incredulous eyes of the very person who had brought that paper. Here it is clear that Hayez wanted to talk about that spark – explained the teacher -, that moment which ignites a struggle that will last for decades but which will end with the victory achieved in the Battle of Legnano.”
The costumes of the Teatro Regio di Parma Foundation
They will also be exhibited in the Hall of Coats of Arms two costumes from the collection of the Teatro Regio di Parma Foundation. «Hayez’s work – concluded Alessio Francesco Palmieri Marinoni – is in dialogue with two costumes coming from the historical collections of the Teatro Regio di Parma Foundation, with which the Palio di Legnano Foundation has recently signed an cultural collaboration aimed at valorising their respective historical heritages which will materialize in a series of cultural exchanges.” Currently, in fact, two costumes from the Palio di Legnano are on display at the Teatro Regio in Parma.
