Sweet Triumphs and Fine Folds

The exhibition, curated by Giovanna Giusti and Riccardo Spinelli, is dedicated to the famous banquet held in Palazzo Vecchio on the evening of 5 October 1600, on the occasion of the proxy wedding of Maria de’ Medici and Henry IV, king of France celebrated in Florence. The exhibition will be open from 10 March to 7 June 2015.  

It is the result of various strands of research to deepen our knowledge of the “ephemeral displays” which adorned the tables of royal banquets, such as that held for Maria de’ Medici’s wedding to Henry IV of France. The volume presents the astounding imaginativeness and artistic quality of the sugar sculptures and napkin folding, documented in descriptions written by Michelangelo Buonarroti the Younger, and offers a fresh, spectacular vision of the art of ephemeral table decoration. The intent was to translate a historical document into reality, thanks to the casting techniques of the Fonderia Del Giudice and to the art of napkin folding, brought back to life by the master, Joan Sallas, both of whom were committed to a task which they felt was a real challenge, to bestow upon the city of Florence. 

See what napkin artist Joan Sallas is capable of in this video

This exhibition is part of Florence for EXPO Milan 2015

Watch a video of the exhibition here