Women Contribution through the Pages of “Domus” (1946-1968): Architecture and Urban Planning in the Italian Panorama

These two papers present the results of a first systematic and critical survey on the representation of women in «Domus» between the resumed of the magazine in January 1946 (n. 205) and its 40th anniversary in 1968 (n. 459). Leafing through the pages of 255 magazine issues - published on a monthly and bi-monthly basis by the Editoriale Domus (Milan) - the first paper focuses mainly on articles dealing with product design and inte- rior design, while the second on architecture and urban planning. «Domus» was founded in 1928 by architect Gio Ponti and Barnabite Father Giovanni Semeria in order to popular- ize modern lifestyle in home design. During its first period of publication (1928-1945), it also dealt with topics considered of interest to women, such as the art of homemaking, 37 gardening and cooking. Over the years, through its various editors, this legendary archi- tecture and design magazine has explored a wide range of fields including applied arts, industrial design, architecture and urban planning with an international perspective. It always promoted original and innovative works and soon became a reference magazine with its affiliated periodical «Casabella» (1933-1964) and «Stile Industria» (1954-1963). The publication of «Domus» ceased in 1945 due to the war and it was resumed with a new look in 1946 under the direction of architect Ernesto Nathan Rogers (member of the renowned firm BBPR), replaced by Gio Ponti from January 1948. The editorial staff saw the constant presence of Lisa Ponti Licitra (Milan, 1922) before and after the war. As an artist and writer, Gio Ponti’s daughter played a prominent role in the history of «Domus» for many years and became its editor in January 1985. In the post-war period, the maga- zine embraced new cultural trends and other women joined the editorial staff, contribut- ing articles about works designed by women. Taking into account that the 1950s and 1960s were marked in Italy by an extraordinary vitality in architecture and design, both papers aim to offer a comparison between the first period (1928-1945) and the second (1946-1968) of «Domus», in terms of quantity and quality of articles published about works by women.