Transforming the terrifying: fascist aesthetics then and now

In 2017, Italian neo-fascist group Forza Nuova revived a 1944 propaganda poster to stoke fears against immigrants, demonstrating an unsettling continuity that underpins the enduring legacy of fascist ideology. The poster, originally designed by the artist Gino Boccasile, read ‘Defend her! She could be your mother, wife, sister, or daughter.’ Recognising the reclamation of fascist era symbolism and narratives is essential to explore how fascist ideology in Italy has evolved from the colonial and imperial politics of Mussolini to become embedded in contemporary far-right politics; illustrating the persistent influence of racial and nationalist myths. This essay examines the development of fascist aesthetics in Italy from its origins in the early 20th century to its resurgence in modern times.