The Italy of Italian women An attempt to build a women’s pantheon in Italy

Louise Colet championed the Italian women of letters and an Italian female painter whom she met in person, or through a posthumous account during her trip to Italy. Thus, without compartmentalizing the different disciplines, she drew a personal, sometimes anecdotal portrait of each of them or summarized their work in one sentence. While Italy was at a fundamental turning point in its history, Louise Colet showered praise on patriotic women of letters, particularly Anita, who died in combat.