Operazione Italia. Una nazione in mostra tra arte, industria e commercio (Bruxelles 1952)

Held in 1952 at the “À l’Innovation” department store in Brussels, Opération Italie offers a compelling case of convergence between cultural promotion, commercial strategy, and national identity-building. Part of a broader “widespread exhibitionary system,” the initiative reimagined the retail environment as a platform for national representation, projecting an image of Italy that balanced tradition with modernity. Curated by Piero Fornasetti, the exhibition comprised two distinct sections: Le soleil de l’Italie, showcasing artisanal and industrial production, and Regards sur l’Italie Éternelle, focused on Italy’s historical and artistic heritage. With its combination of institutional commitment, immersive narrative, and museological framing, the Brus- sels event provides an original lens through which to examine cultural legitimation and identity construction in the postwar context. Despite its relevance, to date the initiative has received little scholarly attention. This essay reassesses its significance through unpublished archival material and situates it within a broader network of mid-century European and American cultural initiatives.