View of the ceiling in the Salone delle Feste with the Triumph of ItalyQuirinale Palace
The decoration of the ballroom culminates in the vaulted ceiling which opens out to reveal the Triumph of Italy (Trionfo dell’Italia).
It is created using a pyramid which places the personification of Italy at the top of a staircase, sat on a throne, dressed in white with a crown and holding the tricolor.
A young pensive girl notices the historical event at the plebiscite ballot box between two joyful cherubs.
On the far side there is a crowd of female figures with standards of Italian cities, including the symbol of Venice.
In the sky, almost dancing, an ethereal maiden is approaching, crowned with a dazzling five-pointed star, the ancient symbol of Italy, evoking the star of the new kingdom.
Winged spirits hold the fasces of the imperium, a symbol of power and authority.
At the bottom, a horseman withdraws his sword.
The person defeated collapses in the darkness.
The scene seems to refer to the subject of light overcoming the darkness and to the peace gained under the Savoy sword, the fundamental premise of progress and innovation.
