The Caetani Family History

The Caetani's have a long and illustrious history. Their family name can be traced as far back as 750 B.C. and their ancestors include popes, cardinals, scholars, diplomats, scientists and literary figures.

Caetani Coat of Arms
Photo courtesy of  Greater Vernon Museum and Archives

Leone Caetani, Duke of Sermoneta and Prince of Teano was a renowned scholar of Islamic history and a member of the Italian parliament. He held strong socialist views and with fascism on the rise in post-war Italy, he made the decision to leave his home and begin a new life in Canada. In 1921 he arrived in Vernon with his partner, Ofelia Fabiani, and their four-year-old daughter Sveva who was born in Rome on August 6, 1917.

A comprehensive family history is catalogued at the Vernon Public Museum along with artifacts from their life in Vernon.

Family portrait of Sveva and her parents, Ofelia and Leone
Photo courtesy of  Greater Vernon Museum and Archives

Sveva Caetani

Life became difficult for eighteen-year-old Sveva after the death of her father from cancer in 1934. Her mother Ofelia suffered both physically and mentally from the loss and chose a reclusive life, forcing Sveva to join her. Sveva was not allowed to leave the house at first, but after a time, she was allowed to walk around the garden and eventually into town for banking. Sveva was effectively housebound from 1935 until 1960 when her mother passed away. It was only after Ofelia's death that Sveva was free to pursue her own interests.

Rejoining the community, she earned her teaching degree at the University of Victoria and went on to instruct Visual Arts at Charles Bloom Secondary School in Lumby.

Sveva Caetani. Portrait by Heidi Thompson

A detailed biography of Sveva Caetani can be found at the website of the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Sveva Caetani passed away on April 24 1994. She bequeathed the Caetani House and grounds to the City of Vernon in her Will, with the wish that they be utilized for the benefit of the residents of Vernon and the surrounding area for use in all artistic pursuits.

Sveva's Artwork

In 1978 Sveva began painting her masterpiece, a series of 56 large, luminous watercolours that would recount the story of her life. Despite her failing health, she completed the series in 1989. Titled Recapitulation, it is now housed by the Alberta Art Foundation in Edmonton.

In 1995 the book 'Recapitulation - A Journey' by Sveva Caetani di Sermoneta was published by Heidi Thompson. Heidi spent many years with Sveva documenting her life and art. Her book is available from the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives or through her website www.heidithompson.ca

Many of following pieces of Sveva's original artwork are still held by the Vernon Public Art Gallery:

Caryatid of the Years	The Caterpillar

Cain	Zeus Mourning the Death of Sarpedon	Dancing Totem

John Baptist	Mani

Philosopher	Heaven
All images of artwork courtesy of the Vernon Public Art Gallery
'Makimono of the Ninth' creates Sveva's vision of the entrance to Heaven Image used with permission from Heidi Thompson

Sveva loved music and believed it to be the supreme art. "Makimono of the Ninth" is her visual interpretation of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. A Makimono is a Japanese hand scroll which is to be held in the hand and enjoyed in beautiful surroundings. Her interest in math also plays a role in this painting, using the same shape throughout this picture only stretching and shrinking and folding it. Although sometimes hard to believe, Sveva only painted with watercolours, often applying up to seventeen layers to create such vibrance. Combining all of her passions, "Makimono of the Ninth" creates Sveva's vision of the entrance to heaven.