Ritorno Dal Villaggio 

Pasquale Celommi painted "Ritorno Dal Villaggio", meaning "Return From the Village," presumably in the late 19th or early 20th century. At first glance, this painting depicts a quaint scene of rural life. But when we look closer, we might ask, what does it mean to return? Who has the privilege to leave and then return, and who does not? The subjects here appear to be peasants, identifiable by their modest attire, as they head back towards their village. They may be returning from working in the fields. The women, in particular, seem burdened not only by their physical loads, but also by the weight of societal expectations placed upon them. The younger girl, who carries a basket of flowers, strides ahead with a look of determination, but what does the future hold for her in this pastoral setting? In its depiction of rural life, "Ritorno Dal Villaggio" can be seen as a reflection on the identity, roles, and the unspoken stories of the peasants who lived in rural Italy. The work leaves us to consider the lives of those who, despite being at the margins of society, formed the heart of Italian culture.