Italy

  • The Empire Springs from the Mind of the Duce

    The Empire Springs from the Mind of the Duce

    Principal part of a larger sculpture known as ‘Empire Springs from the Mind of Il Duce‘ or ‘L’Impero balza dalla mente del Duce‘ in Italian, Ferruccio Vecchi masterfully portrays Mussolini as the Fascist superman destined to lead Italy to glory. A strong cult of personality was constructed around Mussolini, not only to inspire loyalty but for him to serve as a role model for the citizenry as an idealized vision for Italy’s ‘New Man’.

  • Italian Army Eagle

    Italian Army Eagle

    A monumental Italian bronze eagle with outstretched wings, perched atop an obelisk forming the letters “EIA” and along the pedestal base the Latin motto “MAGIS MAGIS QUE”.

  • Archangel Michael

    Archangel Michael

    Sculpture of Archangel Michael, depicted as the patron saint of Italy’s fascist paramilitary Blackshirts, the MVSN.

  • Avanti Italia!

    Avanti Italia!

    Irredentist lithograph by Alberto Martini depicting an ethereal personification of Italy as she stands triumphantly over the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Austria-Hungary is represented by a beastly reptilian interpretation of Emperor Franz-Joseph,, seen claiming rightfully Italian lands for himself.

  • Continuous Profile of Mussolini

    Continuous Profile of Mussolini

    Profilo continuo del Duce (Continuous profile of the Duce) from 1933 is a Futurist rendition of Mussolini’s distinctive side profile continuing a full 360 degrees. Futurism has been long associated with Fascism, with this sculpture, in its dynamism and movement, typifying Futurist works of art. It was approved as an official portrait by the Duce himself as one of many Futurist political artworks surrounding his cult of personality,

  • Duce, The Living and the Dead Greet You

    Duce, The Living and the Dead Greet You

    Propaganda poster issued by the Federazione dei Fasci di Combattimento. Text reads: “Duce, The Living and the Dead Greet You With the Cry of the Vigil

  • Exhibition of the Fascist Revolution

    Exhibition of the Fascist Revolution

    Poster promoting the Mostra della Rivoluzione Fascista (Exhibition of the Fascist Revolution), an art exhibition commemorating Mussolini’s March on Rome. Held in Rome between 1932 and 1934 and attracting millions of visitors, the exhibition proved a resounding success.

  • Exhibition of the Fascist Revolution - 10th Anniversary

    Exhibition of the Fascist Revolution – 10th Anniversary

    Poster by Mario Sironi promoting the Mostra della Rivoluzione Fascista (Exhibition of the Fascist Revolution), an art exhibition intended to commemorate Mussolini’s March on Rome. Held in Rome between 1932 and 1934 and attracting millions of visitors, the exhibition proved a resounding success.

  • July 25th

    July 25th

    Poster from the Italian Social Republic by Gino Boccasile.

  • MVSN Dagger

    MVSN Dagger

    The Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale (MVSN), commonly referred to as the Blackshirts, was the main paramilitary wing of the National Fascist Party. They were the Italian equivalent of the German Schutzstaffel (SS) after which the latter was based upon. Surmounted on the chain is an “M” standing for Mussolini and an eagle clutching the letters “SPQR”, an abbreviation for the Roman Empire which the Italian fascists sought to emulate. The centrality of ancient Rome’s role within the palingenetic mythos of Italian Fascism cannot be understated.

  • MVSN General's Helmet

    MVSN General’s Helmet

    An Italian M33 helmet for a general of the Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale (MVSN), commonly referred to as the Blackshirts. The MVSN was the main paramilitary wing of the National Fascist Party, and the Italian equivalent of the German Schutzstaffel (SS) after which the latter was modeled upon.

  • Pietro Badoglio's Gladius

    Pietro Badoglio’s Gladius

    Ceremonial gladius awarded to Marshal Pietro Badoglio upon his conquest of Ethiopia in 1936.