Exhibition “Brother Sun, Sister Moon: Costumes of San Francesco for a Masterpiece”

In the Year celebrating San Francesco, from February 15 to May 3, the Museo della Grafica in Pisa is hosting the exhibition “Brother Sun, Sister Moon: Costumes for a Masterpiece,” dedicated to Danilo Donati’s costumes for the famous film directed by Franco Zeffirelli and released in Italy in 1972.

Please note that there will be two special guided tours led by Diego Fiorini, director of the Cerratelli Foundation and curator of the exhibition alongside Alessandro Tosi.

Friday, April 10, 5:00 p.m. and Friday, April 24, 5:00 p.m.
Reservations are required and must be made at: educazione.museodellagrafica@sma.unipi.it
by 1:00 PM on the day before your visit.

The Costumes on Display

The exhibition showcases the costumes in all their beauty, originality, and sartorial genius. On display are 28 costumes from the Cerratelli Foundation, one costume (the habit of St. Francis), and five pieces of jewelry from the Zeffirelli Foundation.

In the film’s costumes, the opulence of the 13th century—enhanced by gold backgrounds—contrasts with the poverty, simplicity, and lightness of Francis and his world. The garments of the characters from wealthy Assisi, sumptuously adorned with references to ancient goldsmithing and enamels, thus stand in stark contrast to the noble simplicity of Chiara’s clothes, in which one recognizes refined, high-quality craftsmanship: emblematic in this regard is the attention to detail in the decorated scapular of the church costume.

Similarly, the monumental, gold-sparkling cope, embellished with gems, that envelops the pontiff stands in contrast to Francis’s humble habit: worn, frayed, yet capable of shining with light and faith.