White Feminine: a journey through women's textiles and traditions at Palazzo Madama

Palazzo Madama, one of the landmarks of the city of Turin, will host a new exhibition entitled Bianco al Femminile (White to the Feminine), which will run from February 26, 2025 to February 2, 2026. Curated by Paola Ruffino, the exhibition will explore the deep and symbolic bond that unites white-the natural color of silk and linen-to the figure of women. A bond manifested through centuries of textile artifacts, from medieval embroideries to the iconic wedding dress, a symbol of feminine purity and elegance. The exhibition is developed through a selection of fifty works, all from the collections of Palazzo Madama, six of which have been specially restored for the occasion. Fourteen artifacts, on the other hand, will be on public display for the first time, offering the opportunity to discover previously unseen masterpieces of great historical and artistic value. The exhibition itinerary unfolds through a series of stages that recount the evolution of the relationship between white and the female figure over the centuries, from its medieval origins to contemporary developments. White, with its soft light and symbolic meaning, is the color par excellence that has accompanied women at various times in their lives, particularly in the domestic, religious and ceremonial spheres.

The exhibition begins with a plunge into the past, particularly the 14th and 15th centuries, with embroideries from women’s monasteries, mostly made of linen on natural linen cloth. These works, mainly from the German area and the Lake Constance region, feature designs outlined by a colorful silk outline, a type of embroidery that, because of its simplicity and ease of making, also spread to the secular domestic sphere. In Italy, embroideries on tablecloths and pillows, with decorative motifs of medieval origin such as birds, castles and trees of life, remained in use for a long time. Two very rare examples of these artifacts, possibly from Sicily or Sardinia, are shown for the first time in this exhibition.

The period between the 16th and 17th centuries marked the birth of lace-making, an art that saw Venetian and Flemish lace-makers as the absolute protagonists. White lace, handcrafted with extraordinary skill, was used for women’s borders and accessories and represents an excellent craftsmanship that has spanned the ages. The exhibition presents a selection of these masterpieces, highlighting the mastery and creativity that characterized the work of the women who devoted themselves to this art. Both as creators, but also as patrons and keepers of traditions, women contributed greatly to the evolution of this field. In the 19th century, the introduction of mechanized production led to some loss of virtuosity in lace-making, but the art of white thread embroidery on batiste and muslin cloth continued to be an exclusively female expression, although also practiced professionally. Four particularly fine specimens of these embroideries, decorating women’s handkerchiefs, are among the highlights of the exhibition, testifying to the high level reached by this art.

The highlight of the fashion of white is in the late 18th century, a period that marked a radical change in women’s aesthetic standards and modes of dress. The rediscovery of Greek and Roman statuary, with its simple but elegant clothes, profoundly influenced European fashion. Young women began to adopt the en-chemise dress, held at the waist by a sash, while the preferred fabrics were light and impalpable, such as cotton muslins and silk gauzes. The designs, often very delicate and minute, were reminiscent of tea service china and symbolized an idea of grace and purity.

The 20th century ends with one of the most famous and symbolic expressions of the link between white and the female figure: the wedding dress. One of the most representative works in this section is a wedding dress from the 1970s, which is short and accompanied not by the classic veil but by a futuristic cagoule, a choice that emphasizes the continuous evolution of the concept of elegance and purity over time.

The exhibition is further enriched with a selection of applied art works from the museum’s collections, including miniatures, engravings, porcelain and bindings, which offer a broader and deeper context to the textile narrative.

On the occasion of this exhibition, Palazzo Madama also offers a meditative sewing workshop curated by Rita Hokai Piana on Saturdays, March 15 and 22 and April 5 and 12, 2025, offering participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in the practice of weaving and embroidery in an experience of personal and creative reflection.

Practical information

Hours:

Monday and Wednesday through Sunday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday closed

Tickets:

Included in the museum entrance fee: full € 10.00 | reduced € 8.00

White Feminine: a journey through women's textiles and traditions at Palazzo Madama

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