Juana Romani (1867–1924) was one of the most fascinating and successful painters in late-nineteenth-century Paris. Born in Italy, Juana—whose given name was Giovanna Carlesimo—moved to Paris with her mother and stepfather at the age of ten. After working for several years as an artist’s model in her teens, she took up painting, studying under the well-known painters Jean-Jacques Henner (1829–1905) and Ferdinand Roybet (1840–1920). Romani quickly earned both critical praise and significant fame for her deftly painted, richly colorful depictions of strong, sensual women adorned in lavish textiles.

Tragically, at the height of her fame, Romani experienced challenges with her mental health, causing her to spend her final twenty years confined to institutions. As a result, she was mostly forgotten, only to be rediscovered and reassessed in more recent times. This small exhibition, drawn entirely from The Ringling’s permanent collections, highlights the newly acquired painting by Juana Romani, Woman on a Red Background, and situates it within a group of closely related works from the museum’s collection of late-nineteenth-century French art.

Juana Romani (Italian, active in France, 1867 - 1924)
Woman on a Red Background, ca. 1900
Oil on panel
Museum purchase, 2022, 2022.19