Colorito

[darkerhorse]

How would you translate "colorito bruno", and how common was that description for a male in Sicily c.1913?

[PippoM]

As a premise, I'm not a fluent English speaker, but I'd say that "dark complexion" might be good.
I've also found that "swarthy" might be a translation instead of "dark", and it would be of help to me, if you could tell me if that's correct.
I think it was very common, not only at that time, though there are a lot of blond, blue eyed Sicilians, as a consequence of past invasions from North.

[darkerhorse]

Yes, I've seen translations of brown, dark, and swarthy.

Sometimes swarthy may mean weathered, like dark from being outdoors.

[darkerhorse]

The hair color and eye color are listed as "castagni".

How would you describe that, and are those common colors in Sicily?

[PippoM]

I'd say brown ("like a chestnut"). And of course, yes, they are common.

[darkerhorse]

Last one. "naso greco". I assume that's a Greek nose. In Sicily, is that as common as a Roman nose?

[darkerhorse]

Last one. "naso greco". I assume that's a Greek nose. In Sicily, is that as common as a Roman nose?

Any thoughts on this?

[MarcuccioV]

Last one. "naso greco". I assume that's a Greek nose. In Sicily, is that as common as a Roman nose?

Any thoughts on this?

The "Roman nose" (a misnomer) is I believe a remnant of the Etruscan civilization (absorbed into the Roman Empire over time). It is more commonly found in the north (a good example would be St Charles Borromeo from Milan).

"Gus" (as you call him) had a 'bruno' complexion and a Greek nose. And he was born near Rome (although I suspect far more southern roots)...

His wife (my grandmother, born in the same commune) had a "button" or "ski-slope" nose (the opposite of a "Roman" nose). I don't have any idea about its origins.

They both were listed on documentation as having "chestnut" hair coloring.

[darkerhorse]

Anyone have such a description on an old Italian passport?

I wonder if it read "naso greco" because it wasn't "common" or "regular" in Sicily or in Italy?

[MarcuccioV]

Anyone have such a description on an old Italian passport?

I wonder if it read "naso greco" because it wasn't "common" or "regular" in Sicily or in Italy?

No Italian passport, but I found his 1920 US passport (for a visit to Italy). It states nose as "small" (which describes a Greek nose), and complexion as "dark" (ie: bruno)...

[MarcuccioV]

I would assume a Greek nose to not be uncommon to Sicily, due to the strong Greek influence. I'd further assume it would be in contrast to the bulbous "Arabic" nose (which is likely also common to Sicily). I'd doubt the "Roman" nose was very common there, but considering the movements of Roman soldiers, there could be a good deal of examples that far south...