The perfect primer for the renowned Italian photographer Letizia Battaglia. Born in Palermo, Letizia Battaglia (1935–2022) pursued journalism as a single mother, but she discovered that it was easier to sell articles if she could also provide photographs. She became a news photographer for the newspaper L’Ora, a Sicilian daily paper that opposed the Mafia. Between 1976 and 1991, she documented some of the most violent events in Italian history, including the murders of judges, police officers, and politicians.

While these images brought her international recognition, she strongly rejected the label of "Mafia photographer" and believed her goal was to search for life. She created a multifaceted portrait of her Sicilian homeland, developing a keen sensitivity to women, girls, and young children, as well as a deep compassion for those living in poverty. Her work demonstrates that both joy and suffering are part of the human experience.