Books. “In search of the Head of Judas” by Massimo Signorini

New appointment with the presentation of the book “In Search of the Head of Judas” by Massimo Signorini (Syllables 2024). Thursday, May 2, at 5:30 pm at the Feltrinelli bookstore in Livorno, in Via di Franco 12, the author will present the volume telling the story of Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing (depicting a head of Judas) and its connection with the Livornese Nunes family. Signorini himself, a musician and researcher, accordion teacher at the State Conservatory of Music Domenico Cimarosa in Avellino, will enrich the afternoon by playing on the accordion some pieces by Pietro Mascagni and from the Klezmer culture.

“In Search of the Head of Judas” represents an eight-year research journey by the author to trace those documents in various national archives and reach the truth about this episode extracted from the archive of the Council of Ministers, concerning a final report made by a commission established in 1998 at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers – under the chairmanship of Honorable Tina Anselmi – for the reconstruction of events that have characterized in Italy the activities of acquisition of assets of Jewish citizens by public and private entities.

“Very interesting the response provided by the Superintendence for environmental, architectural, artistic and historical assets for the provinces of Pisa, Livorno, Lucca and Massa Carrara. It is noteworthy that, in December 1943, the superintendent of Pisa informed the head of the Province of Livorno that at Mr. Giacomo Nunes’ house in Livorno, there was a drawing attributed to Leonardo da Vinci depicting a head of Judas, notified under the law of June 2, 1909, number 364. Following this report, searches were carried out by local authorities who, however, could not locate Giacomo Nunes (not listed in the register) or the housemaid who had received the notification. Regarding this, the superintendent reported that, on this provision, there is an annotation in the office records stating that the drawing “was ceded to the State in ’37-’38”, without further details”.

The resolution of the case reveals incredible human stories linked to the Livornese Nunes family, of Jewish origin, and attributable in particular to the main protagonist, lawyer Ilo Giacomo Nunes.