Juana Romani: From Model to Celebrated Painter in Fin-de-Siècle France

Juana Romani, originally Giovanna Carolina Carlesimo, was born in Velletri in 1867 and passed away in Suresnes in 1923. After her father left the family, she gained recognition as a painter in Paris. In 1877, she relocated to Montparnasse and began modeling at the age of 16, adopting the name Juana Romani. She posed for notable artists such as Auguste Rodin and Ferdinand Roybet, the latter becoming her partner. At 19, she started painting and showcased her work, 'Gitane,' at the Salon in 1888. Her art primarily depicted female portraits and mythological subjects. In 1896, critic Louis Gonse lauded her talent. She participated in the 1900 Exposition Universelle and the 1901 Venice Biennale. By 1903, she experienced psychotic episodes and was institutionalized in 1906 until her death. Retrospectives of her work were held in 2017 and 2021.