When the event known as "Vespro" or "Vespers" is mentioned in the pages of history, one immediately thinks of the paintings of the Venetian Francesco Hayez. But how well do we know this event?
On Easter Monday of 1282, the people of Palermo, gathered according to custom in front of the church of Santo Spirito to attend Vespers, rose up against the French domination of Charles of Anjou by massacring all the French in the city and proclaiming their independence.
The term Sicilian Vespers refers to this famous revolt. In a short time the hunt for the rioters turns into a real war that will last 20 years.
After this sad Easter Monday the term "Sicilian Vespers" became a common name, and was commonly used in the 19th century inspiring many dramas, operas and paintings...
One of the most famous versions are the three paintings by Hayez.
The Venetian knew this story well and was so passionate about it that he studied the subject in depth, reading Michele Amari's The War of the Sicilian Vespers and going in person to Palermo to examine the scene. His interpretation is therefore respectful of historical truth. Naturally, the artist did not fail to dress up the episode with a theatrical and melodramatic aspect, as is the case with many historical paintings of the time.
Hayez worked with great dedication to fulfill the commission of the Marquise Visconti d'Aragona, a painting that would recall how in this historical event the people united against the foreign aggressor.
From Veneto to Sicily, a new romantic journey through our rich history, here!