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Emilio Jesi portrait bust by Raphael Mafai on display at Florence's Museo Novecento
Display and dilemma
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A letter from Raphael Mafai discloses the artist's attitude toward exhibition. One of AWA's main goals is for art by women to be on display for public enjoyment. This is why we were overjoyed when Antonietta Raphael's Portrait of Emilio Jesi was permanently exhibited post restoration. An interesting letter Antonietta Raphael wrote to her husband Mario Mafai on March 17, 1948 shows the artist's view toward showing her works publically: "I don't know if you've noticed, dear, that as soon as an artist conceives a work of art, he is joyful. His gaze expands, almost as if he were about to explode. I go so far as to sing when I get an idea for a new piece; but when I start to create it, these apparitions disappear and the work starts off badly, perhaps because the piece is too modest to expose itself to vulgar opinions. Indeed, the IDEA of an artist generally reflects the most intimate side of one's self; it's almost like a confession. This is why I so fear showing my work, I tremble for them, for the judgement they will be subject to. There's no use, Mario, a sculpture outside of the studio makes me sad, I don't know why!"