Palermo explores 16th-century textile culture : Upcoming lecture on Sicilian textiles and embroidery in BCsicilia ‘s art history course
On Thursday, 7 November 2024, at 4:30, Palermo will host a lecture dedicated to 16th century Sicilian textiles and embroidery, within the Art HistoryCourse on the 16th century in Sicily promoted by BCsicilia, an organisation committed to the enhancement of Sicily’s cultural heritage. The meeting, organised in collaboration with the Anglican Church and the Università Popolare, will be held at the Anglican Church in Via Roma, 469, in Palermo, with the possibility of participating via live streaming . The course, which explores 16th century Sicilian art , will be opened by Alfonso Lo Cascio, regional president of BCsicilia, and will continue with a lecture entitled ‘Fabrics and Embroideries’ given by Roberta Civiletto, renowned textile restorer of the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage of Palermo. Civiletto, an expert in textile history and restoration techniques, will dedicate herself to the fascinating panorama of 16th century Sicilian textile culture, focusing on the luxury fabrics and refined embroideries that constituted real symbols of prestige for the upper classes of the time.
Sicilian textile culture in the 16th century: production centres and fashion
The focus of the lecture will be on textile production in Sicily during the 16th century, a period when the island occupied a prominent position in the Mediterranean context also thanks to its famous textiles. The cities of Messina and Palermo distinguished themselves as leading manufacturing centres in the production of fine fabrics, particularly silk, destined to meet the needs of the local nobility and European courts. In the course of the lecture, the types of fabrics and embroideries that were in vogue at the time will be explored, from figured drapes for wall decorations to intricate tapestries and ornaments made using the needlepoint technique. Particular attention will be paid to the social role textiles played. The textile fashion of the time was not only an expression of aesthetics but a powerful symbol of status. Aristocrats and members of the Sicilian elite used richly decorated fabrics to reflect the sumptuousness of Spain, to which the island was politically and culturally linked. Precious drapes and embroideries were flaunted not only as clothing accessories but also as furnishing elements, the hallmark of a luxury that aimed to rival that of the Spanish court.
Fabrics as works of art: the mastery of Sicilian embroidery
The lecture will also highlight some emblematic textile works from 16th century Sicily, examples illustrating the extraordinary skill of the master embroiderers of the time. Sicilian embroidery , famous throughout Europe for its originality and technical quality, developed into unique forms that combined Spanish artistic influence and local traditions. Roberta Civiletto will present some of the most significant embroideries of the period, testimonies of a craft tradition of the highest level, still admired today for the complexity of the decorative motifs and the accuracy of the details.
Roberta Civiletto: an expert in historical textiles and the art of embroidery
Lecturer Roberta Civiletto is a leading figure in the study and restoration of antique textiles. With over twenty years of experience, she has conducted numerous researches on Sicilian textile art , documenting his findings in essays and scientific articles, as well as participating in national and international conferences. His expertise has also been called upon for museum layouts and exhibitions on the subject of historical textiles and ancient costume , where he has collaborated with leading academic and cultural institutions. Currently, Civiletto works at the Soprintendenza dei Beni Culturali in Palermo, where he is dedicated to the conservation and study of the regional textile heritage.
A programme of lectures and guided tours
The Art HistoryCourse on the 16th century in Sicily includes a series of meetings dedicated to the main aspects of Sicilian art of the period, with a special focus on the artistic and cultural influences that crossed the island during that century. After the lecture on textiles, the programme will include in-depth studies on sculpture in western and central Sicily, and in eastern Sicily. These meetings will be accompanied by guided tours to historical and artistic sites of great interest, such as Mirto, Frazzanò, Nicosia and Calascibetta, as well as a stop in Naples, a significant destination to understand the cultural influences between Sicily and the continent.
The valorisation of Sicily’s cultural heritage
The course on textile culture organised by BCsicilia is part of an ongoing commitment to the promotion of Sicilian history and art . Through these lectures, BCsicilia aims to raise awareness of the importance of preserving and studying the island’s cultural heritage, rich in influences that span the centuries and testify to the cultural vibrancy of Sicily. In promoting thisinitiative, President Alfonso Lo Cascio emphasises its educational and popular value, which involves specialists and enthusiasts, bringing a wide public closer to the works of art and symbols of Sicily’s past. At the end of the course, participants will receive a certificate of attendance, a further recognition of theircommitment to deepening their knowledge of a historical period that profoundly marked the artistic and cultural identity of the island.
Information and registration
For those interested in participating in the course on textile culture, both in person and online, you can contact BCsicilia for further information and registration. The association’s office is at 7 Via Giovanni Raffaele in Palermo, and can be contacted by phone at 346.8241076 or by email at palermo@bcsicilia.it. Updates and additional details are also available on BCsicilia ‘s official Facebook page.