A Centenary Commemoration

Mario Pratesi

English Italiano

Portraits of Friends

The following collection of portraits from the Mario Pratesi fonds highlights a small number of individuals with whom Pratesi was closely associated, both personally and professionally.

Alfonso Bertoldi, [n.d.].
Alfonso Bertoldi, [n.d.]. Mario Pratesi fonds, F69. 2011.06, Box 1, File 4, P05. Victoria University Library Special Collections.

Alfonso Bertoldi

Alfonso Bertoldi (1861-1936), Italian writer and professor. Director of the Florentine magazine Medusa and a pupil of Giosuè Carducci.


S. Ceccherini, 1921.
S. Ceccherini, 1921. Mario Pratesi fonds, F69. 2011.06, Box 1, File 1, P03. Victoria University Library Special Collections.

Santi Ceccherini

Santi Ceccherini (1863-1932), decorated military man, and later the Olympic silver medalist in Fencing (1908 games in London). Disillusioned by the terms of end of WW1 treaties, he began to support Fascist ideologies.


Renato Fucini, 1901.
Renato Fucini, 1901. Mario Pratesi fonds, F69. 2011.06, Box 1, File 3, P02. Victoria University Library Special Collections.

Renato Fucini

Renato Fucini (1843-1921), Italian poet and writer. His prolific literary contributions were often penned under the anagrammatic pseudonym Neri Tanfucio.


Alessandro Gherardi, [n.d.].
Alessandro Gherardi, [n.d.]. Mario Pratesi fonds, F69. 2011.06, Box 1, File 1, P04. Victoria University Library Special Collections.

Alessandro Gherardi

Alessandro Gherardi (1844-1908), an archivist, historian and paleographer, he was noted for his numerous publications. In 1903 he was appointed the Director of the State Archives in Florence.


Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga, 1902.
Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga, 1902. Mario Pratesi fonds, F69. 2011.06, Box 1, File 1, P02. Victoria University Library Special Collections.

Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga

Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga (1827-1913), Italian patriot and politician; he was also a writer and translator.


Adelaide Maraini with daughter Mimi Moris, [n.d.].
Adelaide Maraini with daughter Mimi Moris, [n.d.]. Mario Pratesi fonds, F69. 2011.06, Box 1, File 1, P06. Victoria University Library Special Collections.

Adelaide Pandiani Maraini

Adelaide Pandiani Maraini (1836-1917), award winning Swiss-Italian sculptress and early promoter of European feminism. Wife of industrialist, publisher and financier Clemente Maraini. Together with her husband she supported Pratesi in his early career.


Clemente Maraini, 1905.
Clemente Maraini, 1905. Mario Pratesi fonds, F69. 2011.06, Box 1, File 3, P04. Victoria University Library Special Collections.

Clemente Maraini

Clemente Maraini (1838-1905), Swiss-Italian engineer and co-founder of the Banca della Svizzera Italiana. He also worked on construction of the Suez Canal. He financed the publication of Pratesi’s early works, encouraging him to continuing writing. Husband of sculptress Adelaide Maraini.


Guido Mazzoni, [n.d.].
Guido Mazzoni, [n.d.]. Mario Pratesi fonds, F69. 2011.06, Box 1, File 4, P03. Victoria University Library Special Collections.

Guido Mazzoni

Guido Mazzoni (1859-1943), Italian poet, professor of Italian at Padua and Florence, and an elected senator. He also served as the secretary of the prestigious Accademia della Crusca from 1897-1923 and was likely the nominator of Pratesi for membership in the Academy.


Ernesto Nathan, [n.d.].
Ernesto Nathan, [n.d.]. Mario Pratesi fonds, F69. 2011.06, Box 1, File 4, P01. Victoria University Library Special Collections.

Ernesto Nathan

Ernesto Nathan (1848-1921), English-Italian politician and mayor of Rome from 1907 to 1913.


Gerolamo Rovetta, [n.d.].
Gerolamo Rovetta, [n.d.]. Mario Pratesi fonds, F69. 2011.06, Box 1, File 4, P02. Victoria University Library Special Collections.

Gerolamo Rovetta

Gerolamo Rovetta (1851-1910), Italian writer remembered for his novels and for his many dramas and comedies.


Giuseppe Verdi, 1884.
Giuseppe Verdi, 1884. Mario Pratesi fonds, F69. 2011.06, Box 1, File 2, P04. Victoria University Library Special Collections.

Giuseppe Verdi

Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) renowned composer of some of the most beloved works of the 19th century operatic canon, including: Aida, Falstaff, Nabucco, Otello, Rigoletto, La Traviata and Il Trovatore.


« Previous Next »

camera icon Tuscany, Italy
Photography by klau53 at flickr