Women's Role in Society Through Art at Museo del Paesaggio, Verbania

The Museo del Paesaggio in Verbania presents a thematic exhibition exploring the evolution of women's roles in European society from the 19th to 20th centuries through its own collection. Housed in a 17th-century palace reopened after restoration, the show assembles about eighty works including paintings, sculptures, and drawings by artists spanning different periods and styles. The exhibition begins with Daniele Ranzoni's "scapigliata" women, such as "Testa di donna" (1864) and "Ritratto di Giuseppina Imperatori di Orsenigo" (1876-77), depicting languid or virtuous figures. Paolo Troubetzkoy's "Gruppo dal vero (Maternità)" (1898) and Giulio Branca's "Addio dello spazzacamino" (1898) address motherhood and domesticity. Arnaldo Ferraguti's monumental canvas "Alla vanga" (1890-91), over six meters wide, won the Fumagalli prize at Brera in 1891 and portrays women laborers in southern Italy. Sophie Browne's pastels "Sfinge" (1900) and "Nimpha" (1896-1900) evoke symbolist transcendence. Two sections focus on Arturo Martini and Mario Tozzi, while a highlight is Mario Sironi's collection of drawings, watercolors, and engravings, mostly from his sister's estate, including early works like "Cocotte" (1914-15) and "Figure" (1915-16) showing fauvist and expressionist influences.