Last month, the Italian Grand Prix brought together motorcycle fans from across the globe. Landing in the iconic Mugello circuit, Ducati unveiled its latest project that celebrates Italy’s rich cultural heritage and its contribution to the Renaissance era.
Exploring the beauty of art, technology and excellence, the project embraces the joint ethos of the Italian Renaissance from the 14th and 16th centuries and Ducati to create a special livery for the Desmosedici GP bikes and a racing suit.
The concepts are inspired by two contrasting elements of the same era: Leonardo da Vinci’s genius, finding synergy between art and science; and Niccolò Machiavelli, the philosopher representing the “dark side” of the Renaissance. While the former’s famous Ancient Captain drawing becomes the highlight, contributing historian Marcello Simonetta leans on a quote from Machiavelli’s The Prince: “Since a prince needs to know how to use the beast, he must choose the fox and the lion; because the lion cannot protect himself from snares, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize snares, and a lion to frighten wolves. Those who use only force do not understand this.”
Through these inspirations, Ducati explores the modern-day knight and their motorized steeds by enlisting riders Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Márquez to be the face of the story. Reinterpreting the two historical references through a contemporary lens, designer Drudi incorporates a lion, which was part of the original decoration in the Ancient Captain, and a fox depicted on the special livery. Elsewhere, the riders’ racing numbers, 63 and 93, are also branded onto their bikes in a similar style to their armor-like suits that continue the theme.
The campaign visuals take the two riders to Florence, also known as “the cradle of the Renaissance,” championing the knighthood concept and the city’s reverence. From its grand Stibbert museum to the landmarks Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio — it captures the spirit of design excellence and artistic beauty.
Check out the campaign above. For more information, visit the Ducati website.
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