Ketty La Rocca (1938–1976), regarded as one of the most relevant and innovative artists in the Italian art scene of the second half of the 20th century, focused her research on the female condition in the 1970s, critically addressing the power dynamics embedded in communicative languages. Her practice is marked by a radical engagement with political and social issues, particularly in relation to gender stereotypes and the representation of women. In the collage, Questo marchio vuol dire malinconia, she highlights how language, written, visual, and symbolic, is a cultural construct capable of profoundly shaping the perception of reality and the formation of identity. Her use of text, branding, and graphic elements points to the power of the communication system in shaping and influencing collective thought. In this work, the codified order stands in contrast to the individual’s expressive freedom.