L'iconografia dell'Italia nel Risorgimento romantico

This article examines the national personification or allegory of Italy during the Risorgimento. From ancient times to today the iconographic representation of Italy and its symbolic attributes has shown a female figure characterized by a mural crown (corona muralis), with a shining star above her head to suggest a bright destiny, and holding in her hands a horn of plenty (cornucopia) to indicate abundance of the territory and a scepter to show authority. This image bears the name of Italia turrita. In the Risorgimento the iconographic representation of Italy contributes to building national identification, in which the personification of Italy undergoes some changes in the system of signs and symbols characterizing her identity. The article draws attention to the multiple images of Italy, embodying the romantic period of national patriotism and the various political programs for national unification: paintings, prints, engravings and sculptures are taken into consideration. [Publisher's text].