Maria Antonietta Torriani (1840 – 1920): The Voice of Italian Feminism Through Realistic Observation Maria Antonietta Torriani, known professionally as Marchesa Colombi, stands as a remarkable figure in late nineteenth-century Italian literature and art. Born in Novara in 1840, she defied societal expectations for women of her time by pursuing a career as journalist and novelist—a bold step considering the limited opportunities availa…