My oil-painted diptych, The Fallen Spennacchiera, depicts the gut-wrenching moment when a horse is eliminated from the race because its plummed head-piece (Spennacchiera) has fallen off. The headpiece, which adorns the horse, carries the pride of the entirety of its contrade. This piece demonstrates the brutality of the bareback race and the intensity with which the riders pursue the Palio. Their dedication comes from a place of deep honour and passion for their district. I used two canvases to individualize the falling and fallen rider, as both jockeys’ struggles would have been deeply felt by their contrade. Cool hues are also used in the white horse in the right canvas, as his rider finds himself in peril mid-fall. The cool blues are also used in the race’s barricade to signify the sadness and disappointment of both the grounded rider and his contrade. This signals an inextricable link between the Sienese’s identity and the palio race.
Dimensions of Work: 152.40 x 76.20 x 3.81 cm
