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Unveiling the stories of women, through the lens of the Civic Museums of Bologna

By Musei Civici di Bologna

Collezioni Comunali d'Arte - Cleopatra (c. 1630) by Guido CagnacciMusei Civici di Bologna

The women presented by the Civic Museums of Bologna mirror the world as we know it today.

Museo Civico Archeologico - Etruscan stele depicting a woman on a chariot, Late 5th - Early 4th century B.C., From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo Civico Archeologico - Attic red-figure krater with Amazons, Attributed to Pentesilea Painter, Mid 5th century B.C., From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo Civico Archeologico - Cornelii gravestone, End of the 1st century B.C., From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

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Museo Civico Archeologico - Tintinnabulum (side A and B) embossed decorated on both sides (End of 7th century B.C)Musei Civici di Bologna

Let's uncover their stories together, preserving their legacy and bringing it into the future.

Collezioni Comunali d'Arte - Circe, Anton Maria Vassallo, 1640-1660, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo della Musica - The book entitled "La vita et metamorfoseo d'Ovidio", VV.AA., 1559, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo Civico Medievale - Giovanni d'Andrea, Novella in Decretalium Gregorii IX librum, Maestro del B 18, 1330-1334, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

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Museo Civico Medievale - Coat of arms of the Grassi family (c. 1520) by Properzia de' RossiMusei Civici di Bologna

These women, bold and daring, defied societal expectations of their time. Their actions, considered scandalous by some, contributed to social progress.

Museo della Musica - Componimenti Musicali de Motteti Concertati a una e piu voci, Lucrezia Orsina Vizzana (Bologna 1590 – 1662), 1623, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo della Musica - The First of the Madrigals, Barbara Strozzi (Venezia, 1619 – Padova, 1677), 1644, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

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Collezioni Comunali d'Arte - Portrait of Bianca Cappello (Late 16th century) by Scipione Pulzone (copy from)Musei Civici di Bologna

Strategists, activists, queens, and fearless warriors – women faced obstacles head-on. From Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, to Bianca Cappello, beloved by the Grand Duke of Tuscany yet ostracized for her foreign origins.

Museo Davia Bargellini - Judith with the head of Holofernes, Lavinia Fontana, 1600, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo Davia Bargellini - Shepherdess or Saint Agnes, Ginevra Cantofoli, Second half of the 17th century, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo Davia Bargellini - Planet with silk and silver embroidery, Made by Consevatorio di Santa Marta, 18th century, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

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Collezioni Comunali d'Arte - Portrait of a Papal Gonfaloniere (1904-06-09) by Artemisia GentileschiMusei Civici di Bologna

They dared to challenge traditional roles, stepping into fields considered exclusively for men. Just like Artemisia Gentileschi, who became a renowned figure in art history and beyond.

Museo della Musica - Portrait of Maria Brizzi Giorgi, Filippo Gargalli (Bologna 1750 – 1835), 1800/1820, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Risorgimento Museum - Brigida Fava Ghisilieri photographic portrait, 1860, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

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Museo della Musica - Portrait of Isabella Angela Colbran (1800/1820) by Painter of the early 19th centuryMusei Civici di Bologna

These women broke barriers and inspired generations to come, pursuing their passions in fields like literature, music, and art, and challenging societal norms. One example of their courage? The nuns of Santa Cristina risked excommunication to defend their right to practice music!

Collezioni Comunali d'Arte - Aemilia Ars Lace, Made by Aemilia Ars, 1900-1925, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Certosa - Epigraph to Brigida Fava Ghisilieri in the Tanari monument, Francesco Stagni, Giovanni Battista Frulli, 1810, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Certosa - Funeral plaque of Gualberta Alaide Beccari, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

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Certosa - Funerary portrait for the tomb of Maria Frassinesi "Fatima Miris", Cesar Santiano, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo del Risorgimento - Decalogue of the Italian woman during the war. Postcard, 1915, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

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Museo del Patrimonio Industriale - Gilberta Gabrielli first female Knight of Labour (1964/1964) by MingantiMusei Civici di Bologna

Exceptional craftswomen or skilled business owners, they excelled in their fields and received official awards, showcasing their remarkable achievements.

Museo del Patrimonio Industriale - Worker in charge of a threading machine at Farmac-Zabban in Bologna, Farmac-Zabban, 1950/1960, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo del Patrimonio Industriale - Irma Ginepri at the Milan Motorcycle Fair, C.M, 1950/1960, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

Museo del Patrimonio Industriale - Adjustment exercises in the Women's Industrial Technical Institute of Bologna, Studio Villani, 1963/1964, From the collection of: Musei Civici di Bologna

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Museo del Patrimonio Industriale - Hand packaging operations of the "Pasticca del Re Sole" (1920/1930) by GazzoniMusei Civici di Bologna

Even in the most humble roles, these women demonstrated their worth and changed the course of history.

Credits: Story

Musei Civici di Bologna (Civic Museums of Bologna): Museo Civico Archeologico, Museo Civico Medievale, Collezioni Comunali d'Arte, Museo Civico d'Arte Industriale e Galleria Davia Bargellini, Museo del Tessuto e della Tappezzeria "Vittorio Zironi", MAMbo - Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna and exhibition venue of Villa delle Rose, Museo Morandi and Casa Morandi, Museo per la Memoria di Ustica, Museo internazionale e biblioteca della musica di Bologna, Museo civico del Risorgimento (and cultural enhancement of Certosa Monumental Cemetery), Museo del Patrimonio Industriale.

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Musei Civici di Bologna

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