Essence of Sicily – DUCO Galleria

Essence

OF Sicily

REGION

Sicily

INSIDER TIPS

Outdoors Insider
Traditional Shepherding

Luxury DMC Essence of Sicily takes us to the little-praised interior, where traditional shepherding thrives with deep roots. 

How are the practices of Sicily tied to its land?
Some jobs are traditions, remaining unchanged from the past to the present, and handed down through generations like prized possessions. These are trades, but also lifestyles that take shape in the inland of Sicily, a fascinating and little-discovered place. For six generations, the shepherding profession has been passed down from father to son. 

What makes this profession so timeless? 
The job is built upon a repetition of gestures, beginning at dawn. To characterize the soundscape of this place, one can count on whistles, whispered calls, and the incomprehensible and magical Sicilian language. The experience of shepherding is above all a meeting with an ancient craft.

Why does this practice continue today? 
Sheep’s milk is a precious commodity on the island. The work in the pastures moves to the small dairy where cheese is produced: an art that requires knowledgeable hands, skill, and dedication and produces local fresh ricotta and aged pecorino cheeses.

For more information about Essence of Sicily, click here.

HIDDEN TREASURE
Cart Painting in Ragusa

Luxury DMC Essence of Sicily brings us to the heart of historic Ragusa, where traditional cart painting, a custom thought to have disappeared, has been brought back to life.

What is the local hidden treasure?
There is a workshop-laboratory in the center of Ragusa Ibla that takes its name from a color, Rosso Cinabro. Here, the artists Biagio and Damiano carry forth the art of Sicilian cart painting, following the oral tradition learned from the old master cart painters. Their passion for art, craftsmanship, and tradition come together in this laboratory where pigments are ground and traditional pictorial techniques are used. 

What makes it so special?
Like a picture from the past, the two young artists dress in traditional clothes, and the walls of their workshop are full of signs. Each detail and splash of color provides context for the different cultural layers that the Sicilian cart embodies. Precision, study, passion, and balance are the elements that characterize the work of these last master cart painters. However, they’re not totally lost in the past: The pair was recently commissioned by Dolce & Gabbana to create one-of-a-kind pieces for the “Sicily is My Love” collection.

How can visitors best experience this gem?
On a visit to Ragusa, anyone is welcome to stop into the laboratory – a cross between an artist’s atelier and a museum – to see the artists at work and evidence of past masterpieces. The men will be happy to recount their story and training, which is mostly derived from knowledge handed down through generations.

For more information about Essence of Sicily, click here.