In the Year of Francis, from Sunday, February 15 to Sunday, May 3, 2026, the Museum of Graphics hosts the exhibition "Fratello sole, sorella luna. Costumi per un capolavoro" curated by Diego Fiorini and Alessandro Tosi and dedicated to the amazing costumes by Danilo Donati for the famous film directed by Franco Zeffirelli and released in Italy in 1972.
The exhibition presents the dresses in all their beauty, originality and sartorial genius. An invitation to reflect on the ability of cinema to invent and amaze, on the artisanal and creative skill that is made art and wonder through the colors and textures of fabrics and jewelry. On display are 28 costumes from the Cerratelli Foundation; 1 costume (the habit of Saint Francis) and 5 jewels from the Zeffirelli Foundation.
In the film's costumes, the opulence of a 13th century on a gold background contrasts with the poverty, simplicity, and lightness of Francis and his world. Thus the heavy robes of the figures of wealthy Assisi, luxuriously decorated with ancient goldsmith's work and enamels, contrast with the noble simplicity of Chiara's clothes, in which one can perceive the great work of high craftsmanship while admiring the decorated scapular of the church costume. Thus the monumental cope of glittering gold encrusted with precious gems that envelops the pontiff is contrasted with Francis's humble, worn and unbroken habit shining with light and faith.
The exhibition will be open to visitors free of charge.
https://museodellagrafica.sma.unipi.it/2026/02/mostra-fratello-sole-sorella-luna/
As part of the exhibition, the meeting "Francis and Fashion" will be held on Sunday, March 8th at 5:00 PM. Professor Lorenzo Cantoni of USI – University of Italian-speaking Switzerland (Lugano), director of the Master's Degree Program in Digital Fashion Communication – a double diploma with the Sorbonne University in Paris – will present Francis of Assisi's profound and troubled relationship with clothing.
Connected to the world of luxury fabrics for the family business, a bond likely inscribed in his own name, Francesco distances himself with sensational gestures, such as stripping completely in public, to return all his clothes to his father; however, he expresses, at the same time, a care and sensitivity to clothing that only an expert can possess.
An unprecedented and intriguing journey, which helps both to better understand this dimension of Francis and to explore the ultimate meaning of each of us's clothing.
Introduction by Adriano Fabris, Diego Fiorini and Alessandro Tosi.
Free event, no reservation required.
