Anna Magnani (1908-1973) was an Italian actress who worked her way through Rome’s Academy of Dramatic Art by singing at night clubs. Known for her realistic portrayals of characters, playwright Tennessee Williams wrote The Rose Tattoo (1955) specifically for her to star in, a role for which she received an Academy Award for Best Actress, becoming the first Italian – and first non-native-English speaking woman – ever to win an Oscar.

Karsh’s portrait of Magnani is freshly added to this website.