Thanks to the work of Syracuse Florence art history graduate students, Wikipedia now has an article on the artist Elena Salvini Pierallini. The entry grew out of an editing marathon held in April as part of the program’s commitment to expanding the visibility of women artists who have been overlooked in the historical record.
Over the course of the marathon, the students researched Salvini Pierallini’s life and work, drew together scattered sources, and wrote the article that is now publicly available to readers around the world. The session was guided by Linda Falcone, of Calliope Arts foundation, and students used sources collected and translated by Syracuse Florence staff.
Two months later, a series of exhibitions and events dedicated to the artist took place in Florence, a happy coincidence that gave the students the chance to see in person the works of an artist they had come to know so well through research. Viewing her work firsthand, and joining those working to restore visibility to forgotten women artists, made the project especially meaningful.
“It was a great experience working with my cohort to contribute to the Wikipedia article. We don’t do a lot of research on contemporary art or artists in this program, so it was a great change of pace. I’m also glad I got to help create a webpage that will help others learn more about a contemporary female artist, whose work I had the pleasure of seeing in June.” — Gia Bambocci, M.A. candidate and Florence Fellow
The article is now live on Wikipedia. The students’ contribution adds to the growing body of work, led by scholars, institutions, and volunteer editors alike, to close the gender gap in art history and in the pages of the world’s largest online encyclopedia.
At the same April session, Syracuse Florence undergraduate students created a Wikipedia page for the artist Flavia Arlotta. Wikipedia’s editors have asked for revisions before the article can be published, and we are now strengthening it, including by drawing on more reliable texts provided by the artist’s descendants. We look forward to seeing the Arlotta article online soon as well.
If you’re in Florence, we’d love for you to join us at our next editing marathon on November 16, from 1:30 to 5:30 pm, dedicated to the artist Amalia Dupré. No prior Wikipedia experience is needed. Sign up here by November 9.