Name of Object:

Misrata [Libya]. In the Home of Gabrielli, Agent of the Society of Maritime Services [Società dei servizi marittimi]

Name in original language:

Misràta. In casa di Gabrielli, agente della Società dei servizi marittimi

Location:

Rome, Italy

Holding Institution:

Italian Geographical Society (SGI)

 About Italian Geographical Society (SGI), Rome

Holding Institution (original language):

Società Geografica Italiana (SGI)

Date of Object:

1911

Author:

Ignazio Sanfilippo (1857-1943)

Description:

In 19th and early 20th century Africa, the nature of the relations between European men and African women varied dramatically according to the different power relations between the partners. In colonial situations, the legal subordination of the colonised people put African women in particularly weak positions vis-à-vis European men, generally resulting in very exploitative relationships. In countries that were not under European rule, more balanced relationships could develop.
This picture shows a mixed family in Libya before the onset of Italian colonialism. The setting of the picture suggests that the Libyan woman enjoyed respect and status within the family: the woman and her children are sitting on chairs, surrounded by persons who appear to be domestic servants, and the Italian man is standing behind her, looking at their children.

Archival or Bibliographical Reference:

Archivio fotografico, UBFC, 216/4/55

Citation of this web page:

Patrizia Pampana, Giulia Barrera "Misrata [Libya]. In the Home of Gabrielli, Agent of the Society of Maritime Services [Società dei servizi marittimi]" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2025.
https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;it;102;en

Prepared by: Patrizia Pampana, Giulia Barrera
Copyedited by: Anne Dowell

MWNF Working Number: IT1 102