Italian Councillor’s Fall Damages Historic Sironi Masterpiece in Rome Ministry

ROME – A prominent regional councillor from Sardinia inadvertently shattered a section of Mario Sironi’s monumental 1932 stained-glass artwork, ‘La Carta del Lavoro’ (The Labor Charter), after a fall inside the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (Mimit) in Rome on Monday.

Emanuele Cani, Sardinia’s Regional Councillor for Industry, was visiting the ministry when he slipped, falling against the historic artwork. “I slipped on the stairs, fell, and landed against a part of the stained glass, which shattered from the impact,” Cani told Adnkronos, expressing his deep regret over the incident. “I’m fine, just a few bruises, nothing serious. But I am very sorry for the damage.”

A Public Heritage Damaged

The incident, which occurred around 3 p.m. inside the Palazzo Piacentini Vaccaro — the stately home of the Mimit — has drawn swift concern from cultural figures. Cani received on-site medical attention for minor injuries.

The damaged artwork, a powerful symbol of Italy’s past, covers approximately 75 square meters and holds immense historical and artistic value. Commissioned in 1932 by Giuseppe Bottai, then Minister of Corporations, ‘La Carta del Lavoro’ was created to celebrate the Fascist government’s 1927 labor reform. It depicts industrial figures and symbols, from aircraft to factory chimneys, in a style that merges statuary rigor with the celebration of industrial modernity, reflecting the apologetic canon of its time.

This incident is a painful reminder of the fragility of cultural heritage, especially when housed in active public spaces. The immediate focus now shifts to assessing the damage and planning for the painstaking process of restoration.

Significance of Mario Sironi and the Artwork

Mario Sironi (1885-1961), born in Sassari, was a versatile artist, renowned as a painter, sculptor, architect, illustrator, set designer, and graphic artist. He was a key figure among the initiators of the Novecento art movement in Italy, advocating a return to monumental mural painting in the 1930s. Among his most celebrated works is ‘L’Italia tra le Arti e le Scienze’ (Italy Between Arts and Sciences), a vast 100-square-meter fresco completed in 1935 at the Sapienza University of Rome.

Sironi’s ‘La Carta del Lavoro’ is considered one of the highest expressions of his monumental period. The artwork had only recently regained its full splendor in 2014 after a meticulous restoration project, financed by Acea, which brought its original vibrant colors back to life and consolidated damaged surfaces using advanced techniques.

“I am very sorry for what happened and, wishing Councillor Cani a speedy recovery, I hope that intervention will be taken as soon as possible for the restoration of one of the most significant works of Sironi’s monumental art,” said Giorgio Enea Sironi, Mario Sironi’s grandson, who manages the Mario Sironi archive.

The Building’s Rich History

Palazzo Piacentini Vaccaro, where the incident occurred, was constructed between 1928 and 1932 by architects Marcello Piacentini and Giuseppe Vaccaro. Originally serving as the Ministry of Corporations, it has since housed various government departments, reflecting shifts in Italy’s economic and industrial priorities over the decades:

• Post-War: Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Craftsmanship
• 1999: Ministry of Productive Activities
• 2006: Ministry of Economic Development
• 2022: Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy

The damage to ‘La Carta del Lavoro’ not only impacts a singular artistic creation but also a piece of Italy’s national story embedded within its institutional architecture. The public now awaits details on the timeline and costs for restoring this important facet of their collective cultural heritage.