La Superba: Genoa and The Wolfsoniana
- wgclients01
- Oct 23
- 2 min read
Genoa—home to The Wolfsoniana, The Wolfsonian's sister institution in Italy—is an ancient port city with a distinct character. Known as "La Superba" (the superb), Genoa and its Riviera have long drawn artists and writers from around the world, not to mention museum founder Mitchell "Micky" Wolfson, Jr. Through paintings, travel posters, postcards, books, and decorative arts from our collection, this installation provides a picture of Genoa as a mercantile and financial center in the first half of the 20th century.
Organized in celebration of The Wolfsoniana's 20th anniversary and the enduring connection between Italy and the United States.
Place: 6th Floor
Curator: Silvia Barisione
Credit: La Superba is organized by The Wolfsonian–FIU. We thank The Wolfsoniana–Palazzo Ducale Fondazione per la Cultura, Genoa, and the contributors to The Wolfsonian–Wolfsoniana Collaboration Fund for their support.
Poster, Genova e la Riviera Italiana [Genoa and the Italian Riviera], 1931
Aurelio Craffonara (Italian, 1875–1945), designer
ENIT (Ente Nazionale Italiano per il Turismo), Rome, publisher
Barabino & Graeve, Genoa, printer
Offset lithograph
39 1/2 x 27 1/2 in (100.3 x 69.9 cm)
The Wolfsonian–FIU, The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection, XX1990.3172
Painting, The Old Harbor, Genoa – Morning, 1909
John MacWhirter (Scottish, 1839–1911)
Genoa
Oil on canvas
46 x 62 x 4 1/2 in (116.8 x 157.5 x 11.4 cm)
The Wolfsonian–FIU, The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection of Decorative and Propaganda Arts, Promised Gift, ITC2004.6.29
Painting, La pietá umana [Human Piety], 1946
Alberto Helios Gagliardo (Italian, 1893–1987)
Genoa
Oil on canvas
76 1/2 x 59 1/4 in (34.2 x 50.5 cm)
The Wolfsonian–FIU, The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection, XX1989.128
Desk for a lady, 1901
Alberto Issel (Italian, 1848–1926), designer
Alberto Issel Workshop, Genoa, manufacturer
Oak, silver electroplate on electro-formed copper and wrought brass, velveteen, embossed and gilded leather, almond shells, paint
52 1/4 x 32 1/2 x 19 1/2 in (132.7 x 82.6 x 49.5 cm)
The Wolfsonian–FIU, The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection, 88.32.11.16.1
Date: November 20, 2025–June 28, 2026
Location: The Wolfsonian–FIU @ 1001 Washington Avenue
Top image: Poster, Genova e la Riviera Italiana [Genoa and the Italian Riviera], 1931. Aurelio Craffonara, designer. ENIT (Ente Nazionale Italiano per il Turismo), Rome, publisher. Barabino & Graeve, Genoa, printer. The Wolfsonian–FIU, The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection, XX1990.3172.