Francesco Paolo PRIOLO (Palermo, 1818 - 1892) The Sicilian Vespers Oil on paper mounted on canvas Signed and dated 'P. Priolo 1866' lower left 71 x 124 cm Mount Cefalù, which features in the background of our painting by Giovanni Paolo Priolo, places the scene to the east of Palermo on the north coast of Sicily. The theme of the "Sicilian Vespers", regularly treated in the 19th century, refers to the uprising of the people of Palermo against the French domination of Charles of Anjou. According to custom, which undoubtedly contains an element of myth, the revolt began on 30 or 31 March 1282, at the hour of vespers, during a gathering in front of the church of San Spirito. The uprising, which led to the massacre of all the Frenchmen in the town, quickly spread throughout Sicily and enabled the island to become autonomous thanks to the support of the local aristocracy. The painter, who himself witnessed the end of the wars of independence that shook Italy, celebrates with this painting the Italian unification that took place at the end of a tormented period punctuated by revolutionary uprisings and conflicts. Francesco Paolo PRIOLO (Palermo, 1818 - 1892) 71 x 124 cm