Horse-Racing as a Celebration of a Religious Festival-The Palio of Siena. 1907

For Sale is a Double Page Print  Drawn by E. F. Matania called "Horse-Racing as a Celebration of a Religious Festival - The Palio of Siena."

The horse races in the piazza of Siena are held to celebrate the Assumption. This picture shows the crowds watching the "Contrada della Bruco" (of the caterpillar) twirling its banners in salute in the Piazza del Duomo in front of the archbishop's palace. Each contrada does this in turn to the beating of its drum. After marching from its church, where the horse has beem "blessed," it moves off, with banners still waving, to take its place in the procession, which marches round the old Piazza del Campo before the actual race. This contrada won the race for the coveted "Palio," or banner, on August 16. The drummer entering on the right with a banner-bearer behind is of the "Contrada del' Oca," or goose, which is from the part of the town where Santa Catterina lived. The banners are about 6 ft. square, and one needs to be an adept to twirl one around, over one's head, and between one's feet, and finally toss it up so that it will turn a somersault in the air, and then catch it by the handle.

Condition is Very Good.