In the name of Isabella d'Este: the wedding of Giulia Gonzaga and Vespasiano Colonna

The Sabbioneta Heritage Foundation proposes a cultural event to best celebrate Women's Day in a different and original way.

The conference "In the past of women" will be held on Friday 8 March, at 9pm at the Teatro all'Antica in Sabbioneta. In the sign of Isabella d'Este: the wedding of Giulia Gonzaga and Vespasiano Colonna".

The researcher Anna De Rossi will reconstruct the political events that led to the marriage between Giulia and Vespasian, highlighting the decisive role played by Isabella d'Este, who was the hidden director to gain the favor of the pro-imperial party headed by the Colonnas. The Duchess of Mantua prepared the bride by dressing her according to her taste as the "prima donna" of the Renaissance and fashion but then, in order not to offend the Pope (on 20 September the Colonnesi had invaded Rome), he deserted the ceremony which took place in Genazzano. For the first time, the date of the wedding will be indicated, which had an extraordinary importance for the history of Sabbioneta. Jolanda Malgarise, an expert in the history of fashion and costume, will introduce Isabella's taste in clothing, also visible in Giulia's bridal portrait as identified in Parmigianino's "Turkish Slave". It will then be illustrated
the reconstruction of the dress, exhibited for the occasion, and the various stages of creation. Throughout the evening, Tersilla Federici will weave the threads of the marital affair through her poetic art. They will be recited by you, between interventions and the other, the compositions taken from the collection "Giulia and Vespasiano" which the poet dedicated to Giulia and her husband Vespasiano Colonna, grandfather of Vespasiano Gonzaga, founder of Sabbioneta. The viewer will thus be accompanied through a journey in the depths of the human feelings that only poets can grasp in the works of the greatest painters - such as Titian and Parmigianino, who immortalized the two spouses - and return them to us. 

The conference, from which significant historical innovations are expected as an extraordinary and unprecedented event will be presented portrait of Gonzaga, is coordinated by Alberto Sarzi Madidini, enjoys the patronage of the Municipality of Sabbioneta and the Pro Loco Association, is free to enter and is open to all (for any information contact the Infopoint 0375 221044 – [email protected]).