Verita Monselles' Carnale at Centro Pecci: Militancy and Kitsch
The Centro Pecci in Prato is showcasing 'Carnale', a retrospective of Verita Monselles (1929-2004), which will be on display until August 30, 2026. Curated by Alessandra Acocella, Michele Bertolino, and Monica Gallai, this exhibition explores topics such as the female form and bold nudity. Monselles, who was born in Buenos Aires and grew up in Florence, learned from Mimmo Jodice and was exposed to Neapolitan art through Lea Vergine. Her diverse career spanned feminist art and advertising for Emilio Cavallini. Notable pieces include 'Amore, amore II' (1974-75), 'Ecce Homo' (1976), and 'Paolina Borghese come Venere Contestatrice' (1977), culminating with 'Rosematic' (1984) to reclaim her legacy from Lara Vinca Masini's archive.
Key facts
- Verita Monselles retrospective 'Carnale' at Centro Pecci, Prato, until August 30, 2026.
- Curated by Alessandra Acocella, Michele Bertolino, Monica Gallai.
- Exhibition design by Giuseppe Ricupero.
- Monselles was born in Buenos Aires in 1929, grew up in Florence, moved to Naples after marriage.
- She studied photography with Mimmo Jodice, introduced by Lea Vergine.
- Her work 'Amore, amore II' (1974-75) was on the cover of Effe magazine in September 1975.
- She created commercial campaigns for Emilio Cavallini, presented at Sicof Milano in 1987 with text by Pier Vittorio Tondelli.
- Key works include 'Ecce Homo' (1976) with Tomaso Binga, and 'Paolina Borghese come Venere Contestatrice' (1977).
- Video 'Rosematic' (1984) directed by Federico Tiezzi.
- Monselles exhibited at Centre Pompidou (1982) and Maschio Angioino (1987).
- Her last solo show was curated by Lara Vinca Masini over 20 years ago.
- The exhibition draws from the Archivio Fotografico Toscano.
Entities
Artists
- Verita Monselles
- Mimmo Jodice
- Lea Vergine
- Tomaso Binga
- Federico Tiezzi
- Lara Vinca Masini
- Pier Vittorio Tondelli
- Laura Mulvey
- Antonio Canova
Institutions
- Centro Pecci
- Effe
- Sicof Milano
- Centre Pompidou
- Maschio Angioino
- Archivio Fotografico Toscano
- Emilio Cavallini
Locations
- Prato
- Italy
- Buenos Aires
- Argentina
- Florence
- Naples
- Milan
- Paris
- France
Sources
- Espoarte —