Portrait of Rafaella Mascioli (née Di Dominicis)

This is a black and white studio portrait of Rafaella Mascioli (née Di Dominicis), likely taken in Italy. Rafaella is wearing a black dress with puffed sleeves and a cinched pattern across the chest. A white handkerchief hangs from her waist and she is holding a fan.  Her long dark hair is pinned up. She is wearing jewellery: earrings, a sun pendant on a chain, and her wedding ring.  She is staring off camera and her face is expressionless. Her left hand is resting on a chair beside her. The backdrop is floral.

This is a copy of an original printed on inkjet photo paper.

Rafaella was born in Cocullo, Italy, on March 12, 1879. She moved to Canada in 1912 with her husband, Leopoldo (Leo) Mascioli. About a year after they arrived in Canada, Rafaella became very ill.  Leo brought her back to Cucollo, thinking she would recuperate.  She died in Italy on November 20, 1914.  According to her granddaughter, Paula Mascioli, tuberculosis was thought to have been the cause of Rafaella's death. Rafaella and Leo had four children (one died within a year of being born).

Leopoldo (Leo) Mascioli was interned during World War II at Camp Petawawa.