Letizia Battaglia

Born in Palermo, Letizia Battaglia (1935–2022) began working in journalism as a single mother, but she discovered that it was easier to sell articles if she could also supply photographs. She became a news photographer for L’Ora, a Sicilian daily newspaper that took a stand against the Mafia and its political and economic connections.

Between 1976 and 1991, Battaglia was a witness to some of the bloodiest events in Italian history, including the killing of judges, police officers, and politicians. While these images brought her international recognition, she strongly opposed the label of "Mafia photographer" and believed that her aim was to seek out life. She built up a many-sided portrait of her Sicilian homeland, developing a special sensitivity to women, girls, and young children, and a deep empathy with those living in poverty. Her work stands as proof that both joy and suffering are part of the human experience.

This new entry in the Photofile series brings together photographs from throughout Letizia Battaglia’s career in an attractive pocket-sized edition.