Anatomy of a portrait (2026)

From a modest post at the Brera Museum in 1928, Fernanda Wittgens would rise to become its pioneering director—a woman of extraordinary courage and foresight. When war tore through Italy, she orchestrated daring rescues of priceless masterpieces from Allied bombs, while simultaneously sheltering Jewish families and political fugitives from Mussolini’s fascist grip. Her defiance came at a cost: imprisonment. Yet upon liberation, Wittgens emerged not only to rebuild the shattered galleries but to redefine them as a democratic haven—open, welcoming, and truly for everyone. Her innovative vision, however, faded into silence after her death. This documentary seizes that void. By weaving together the voice and presence of actress Sara Drago, who breathes life into Wittgens’ own letters, alongside the insights of art historian Giovanna Ginex, the filmmakers construct a living dialogue—where history meets the present, memory meets interpretation. Though she remains unseen, Fernanda haunts every frame, a palpable, enduring force.