There are books that should be read slowly, allowing oneself to listen deeply to what the written words evoke in the depths of one’s soul. Such is the case with “Soothing Pain with Beauty” by Alessandra Dino.
This is an intense work that explores the memory of the 1993 mafia massacres and the wounds they left on Italian society. The author reconstructs the attacks that struck cities like Florence, Milan, and Rome—events that claimed lives and destroyed iconic symbols of Italy’s artistic and cultural heritage. So, this is a book that speaks not only of art but also through art, used, as it always has been, for its ideological significance.
From the very first pages, the book delivers a gut punch, especially for those of us who study, scrutinize, and uncover the past.
Part of the book focuses on the 1993 Georgofili Massacre, one of the attacks—alongside those in Rome and Milan—that, within a few weeks, scarred Italy. These were not just assaults on historical memory; above all, they were attacks that claimed lives.
Over the years, we have had the privilege of listening to the emotions experienced by restorer Daniela Lippi (https://www.art-test.com/en/daniela-lippi-2/) throughout her work on “The Card Players”. We find the chapter dedicated to the restoration of this painting to be a magnificent description of how civic commitment blends with a love for one’s craft. Here are a few lines about her that we believe capture the essence of her civic dedication:
In Chapter 5, page 109, Emiliano Vatteroni, the technician who assisted Lippi during the restoration, states:
“Daniela’s work was incredible… But when I talked about what we were doing, I thought the painting would return to its former splendor… as the newspapers say. Instead, it’s a wounded painting: you can see it—there’s nothing left in the center. To me, this was more of a moral restoration than an aesthetic one, fundamentally… I mean, there was no objective need to restore it, except that it became a symbol: despite everything, despite being wounded, despite being destroyed and perhaps barely visible, civil society can still repair what the mafia breaks.”
Once again, we want to share with you how books and dialogues like this give ever greater meaning to our mission: to help preserve the past in order to clarify the future we build with our present actions. Will we succeed?
We invite you to read and reflect on this book. We are certain it won’t gather dust on your shelf after the first reading—it is a work that will not only stir your soul but also help you “see” and defend our heritage with a new perspective.
“Soothing Pain with Beauty: Memories and Stories of the 1993 Massacres”, by Alessandra Dino, Navarra Editore, 2025
