Several Neapolitan mutoparlant gestures 1823

Saverio della Gatta made this watercolor of Neapolitan gestures around the turn of the 19th century. It depicts the "mutoparlanti," or "speaking mute," a coded system of gestures used in Naples. Neapolitan culture was marked by strict social hierarchies and pervasive surveillance. This created a need for secret forms of communication. The mutoparlanti allowed people to communicate discreetly, often to evade the watchful eyes of authorities or express dissent without openly challenging the established order. The very act of codifying gestures speaks to a culture where nonverbal communication held significant weight. In an era of political and social upheaval, from revolutions to the rise of nationalism, such forms of covert communication became crucial tools. Delving into archival documents, social histories, and linguistic studies could reveal the nuances of this visual language. It also reveals the social dynamics of the period. By understanding the context, the gestures transform from quaint curiosities into powerful symbols of resistance and survival.