Society

"Voto Contro Natura" di Salvatore Grita (Foto Marco Mattiuzzi) A rather unusual dedication, as unusual as the sculpture created around 1860/70 by Salvatore Grita (1828-1912) titled "Vow Against Nature," part of the collections at Palazzo Pitti in Florence.This sculpture depicts a female figure in religious attire, clearly pregnant, positioned in a corner that suggests imprisonment. Without the inscription on the base, its interpretation might be ambiguous. However, the engraved dedication is the key to understanding both the work and the personality of this little-known artist."To the protectors and supporters of the vow against nature," reads the inscription. A clear and…

Pellizza da Volpedo: Il Quarto Stato (1901, Museo del Novecento, Milano) On May 1st, we not only celebrate a holiday but also honor a powerful symbol of social achievements and workers' rights, evoking vivid images like Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo’s painting "The Fourth Estate." This masterpiece has become an icon of the fight for social justice and social painting, a term rooted in the historical movements of Romanticism and later Naturalism.The celebration of Labor Day in Europe was formalized in Paris in 1889 by delegates of the Second International and later introduced in Italy in 1891. However, during the Fascist…

In the heart of the Middle Ages, a figure emerges with an aura of mystery and prestige: Guala Bicchieri, originally known as Wala Bicherius. His life, woven with diplomacy and culture, unfolds in an era where the foundations of modern Europe are being laid amidst disputes over crowns and the quest for justice. Born in Vercelli to a prestigious family—his father served as consul five times—Guala is a character who still deserves to be remembered for his key role in history.A young man of remarkable intelligence, he devoted himself to studies at the local “Schola” of the Sant’Eusebio canonry. His…

In the eternal battle between art and censorship, where golden shells cover the truths of nature, it seems that the sight of a nipple could corrupt minds more than virtual murder. I venture into this reflection, winking at you, dear reader, because we now find ourselves at a cultural crossroads where play and learning meet, with a touch of irony about censorship.Let's begin with the commendable initiative of “Artonauti,” a sticker album that, like an educational Trojan horse, brings art into the hands of children. Starting from the caves of Lascaux, it's a journey through the centuries, touching Egypt, Greece,…