ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Tarantella: Possession and Dispossession in the Former Kingdom of Naples

publication · 2026-04-24

Alèssi Dell’Umbria's book 'Tarantella ! Possession et dépossession dans l’ex-royaume de Naples' is reviewed in Artpress n°440 (January 2017, p. 76). The work examines tarantism, an ancient healing ritual that persisted in the Apulia region until the 1990s. The review highlights the book's exploration of possession and dispossession within the historical context of the former Kingdom of Naples.

Key facts

  • Alèssi Dell’Umbria wrote 'Tarantella ! Possession et dépossession dans l’ex-royaume de Naples'.
  • Published by L’Œil d’or.
  • Reviewed in Artpress n°440, January 2017, page 76.
  • The book focuses on tarantism, a healing ritual.
  • Tarantism persisted in Apulia until the 1990s.
  • The review discusses possession and dispossession themes.
  • The historical setting is the former Kingdom of Naples.

Entities

Artists

  • Alèssi Dell’Umbria

Institutions

  • Artpress
  • L’Œil d’or

Locations

  • Apulia
  • Italy
  • Kingdom of Naples

Sources