Publications
Gender equality in the work organization of a company town: The case of San Leucio (late 18th–early 19th century)
San Leucio, an 18th-century company town near Naples, stands out for its pioneering approach to gender equality in work and society. Unlike contemporary models, it abolished male exclusivity in wills, dowries, and introduced survivor pensions for widows, while maintaining a male household headship role. Women, however, played pivotal roles as skilled managers of silk production both within the Real Fabbrica (textile mill) and domestically. This qualitative study, based on archives from the Royal Palace of Caserta, State Archives, and Diocesan Archives, reconstructs San Leucio's labor organization, revealing a unique model that blended formal gender equality with practical family-based work structures, challenging traditional male-breadwinner norms.
Terrae Motusat the Reggia di Caserta, Italy
An exhibition at the 18th-century Reggia di Caserta, Italy, showcases artworks from the Terrae Motus collection, inspired by the 1980 Irpinia-Basilicata Earthquake. The collection, curated by Lucio Amelio, features works by renowned artists from the 1980s that explore the theme of earthquakes in various forms. The exhibition parallels the palace's Baroque landscape with Enlightenment additions, fostering reflection on multitraditional spaces. This review presents a history of the collection, discusses key artworks, and examines how the exhibition's themes resonate with the palace's architectural and historical context.
San Leucio, the utopian social labor experiment in the pre-unification Southern Italy
San Leucio, a 18th-century social labor experiment in Southern Italy, stands as a unique model of development that challenges conventional narratives of industrialization. This study reveals how the workers at San Leucio actively embraced modernization efforts led by King Ferdinand IV, contrasting sharply with the stagnant bourgeoisie of the Kingdom. The research highlights the complexities and contradictions of this utopian initiative, which, despite its eventual clash with structural issues, offers valuable insights into alternative economic paradigms. By reconstructing historical events, the study provides a nuanced perspective that questions traditional historiographical models and underscores San Leucio's significance in pre-unification Italy.
Immagini digitali per l’elaborazione e l’analisi del costruito. Lo scalone monumentale di San Leucio
A digital imaging approach was employed to analyze and process the monumental staircase at the San Leucio Complex, part of the 18th-century Royal Palace at Caserta. The study highlights the potential of digital tools in documenting and interpreting architectural heritage, offering new insights into its historical and structural significance. By integrating techniques from representation, history, semiotics, and science/technology, the research demonstrates how interdisciplinary dialogue can enhance the understanding and preservation of cultural landmarks.
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