MUSSOLINI (Benito, 1883-1945, 'Il Duce', Italian Dictator & Prime Minister, Founder of the Fascist Party)

Outstanding photograph signed, of his portrait, inscribed in Italian and dated, "To Edda, this picture of a posing and imposing knight!", showing him astride a magnificent horse, upright in the saddle and nearly full face, looking into the future with the gaze of a leader, high above an idealized backdrop of the remains of the Roman Forum and with a distant glimpse of St Peter's, 14¾" x 11¾", Rome, 1st September

Mussolini has made up two joke words, "poziente" and "impoziente", half Italian and half French or English! (They are a bit like 'paziente' and 'impaziente', 'patient' and 'impatient').
Following the March on Rome in October 1922, Mussolini became Prime Minister, the youngest till 2014 in Italian history. Master of his public image, the message of the present portrait is clear. Since my coming to power, all obstacles (to replacing socialism by totalitarian fascism) have been overcome and will continue to be. (By the way, in April 1926 I brushed off an assassination attempt). Relations with the Roman Catholic Church (whose power I envy but recognise) will be settled (in fact by 1929, with the creation of the Vatican State and laws making the church the church of the country). Italians including fascists have often looked back to Ancient Rome – for example, in my equestrian portrait here – but greater things are to come.

Item Date:  1926

Stock No:  37814