Rome-Turin 1903–1913. A Feminine Path in Craftsmanship and Employment, Emancipation and Recognition of the Artistic Profession

Abstract

By the end of the 19th century, Italy sought to assert its modernity alongside other European nations. The inadequacy of its national pavilion at the 1900 Paris Exposition heralded a transformative period, further propelled by the 50th anniversary of Italian unification. Turin and Rome emerged as key players in a modernization movement marked by events such as the International Exhibition of Industry and Labour in Turin in 1911. The applied arts gained prominence, with female laborers and craftswomen recognized as vital custodians of creative capital. Progressive women, active in both the arts and emancipation efforts, worked to elevate these workers’ visibility. The Italian Women’s Industries (Industrie Femminili Italiane) was established in Rome in 1903, and the first International Women’s Fine Arts Exhibition occurred in Turin from 1910 to 1911. This study explores the nexus between women’s liberation and the rise of the ‘feminine arts’, highlighting the contributions of female artists who integrated applied arts and fine arts in the avant-garde movement.