Chianti Classico: Luchadora’s Bacchantes Selected by Society of Illustrators New York

Bacchantes, the work of Florentine artist Alessandra Marianelli, known as Luchadora, has been selected for the prestigious Annual Exhibition of the Society of Illustrators of New York. This selection places the project among the most significant expressions of international illustration and represents important recognition for the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico, the promoter of the initiative that gave rise to the work.

The work was created as part of “A(rt) message in a (Chianti Classico) bottle,” a project curated by Francesco Bruni and Giuseppe D’Alia that brings contemporary bottle-shaped sculptures to the Chianti Classico territory, entrusting their reinterpretation to various visual artists.

Bacchantes depicts the harvest through a pop and chromatically vibrant scene. The protagonists are working women, represented as imposing figures, free in their manner and dress. An ancient agricultural ritual is interpreted in a contemporary key and presented on the bottle-sculpture as an invitation to reclaim values of community and participation in an increasingly individualistic society.

Alessandra Marianelli lives and works in Florence. Her artistic name Luchadora references Mexican wrestling fighters, symbols of strength, color, and visual identity. Her expressive language combines sinuous forms, vibrant palettes, and socially impactful content. A civil rights activist, the artist frequently collaborates with local communities and public art projects.

The selection of the work for the Annual Exhibition 2025 strengthens the cultural profile of the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico. The project unites wine heritage and contemporary art, helping to enhance the territory’s identity and its relationship with creative languages capable of engaging an international audience.