Authentic Sicily: Painted Carts and The Master

I had the privilege of meeting this man in 2014, a painter of traditional Sicilian carts, not long before his passing. Domenico di Mauro was as charming as a man of 100 years old could be. His artistic talent was evident in every corner of his home studio, now a museum in Aci Sant'Antonio. His story as a painter of "carretti," or carts, began when he was just 12 years old. He continued painting, becoming celebrated for his talent and winning award after award, until he passed in 2016 at 102. These carts are now paraded through the streets for festivals and celebrations with ornately dressed horses and sometimes full of musicians singing and playing traditional Sicilian music. A close look at the immense and complex artistry that created them will bring much joy and deep admiration. On my visit in 2014, I recorded Domenico in front of his easel painting. When my filmmaker friend Mark Spano was making his documentary film "Sicily: Land of Love and Strife," I sent him to Aci Sant'Antonio. He had to meet this man. I am grateful to Mark for gifting me this extra footage to be able tell Domenico's story, albeit in a very brief film, to preserve his legacy in another way. Domenico was one of Sicily's treasures. There are still a few artists around Sicily that occupy themselves with cart making and cart making design, and we celebrate them as well. They are keeping alive one of Sicily's intangible heritages, one that is artistic, charming, very colorful and full of stories. All videos on this channel are copyright @La RosaWorks Sicily Tours & Travel