Reflections of female and male patriotism in photographs: Analysis of First World War photographs of a Jewish family from Rome

Abstract

This article presents the case of Carlo Baroccio, an Italian Jewish banker from Rome who enrolled in the Italian army during the First World War. He appears photographed in a private family album in uniform at home, with friends, on trips, and with his family. Carlo’s family is a case study example of a family of Roman Jews after the opening of the ghetto in 1870. The study explores the role of photography in the display of enthusiasm and involvement of this community in the First World War through the analysis of Carlo's private photographs. It examines how patriotism manifested in this soldier's private sphere and in his private photo album, and how it was expressed through his wife's supporting, patriotic gaze while constructing the album. The study will present the background on the status of Jewish women after emancipation and during the First World War. The contextual background of these photographs is examined, and the photos are explored using visual semiotic tools.