The banner, Palio, or as the Sienese call it, “the Rag,” because it is crumpled or crushed by the many hands grabbing it, are the various names used to refer to the rectangle of painted silk awarded to the contrada that wins the race. Two Palios are run each year, one dedicated to Our Lady of Provenzano and the other to Our Lady of the Assumption. The artists invited to paint this cherished . . .