The death of Michelangelo Antonioni was a reminder of the impressive legacy of such Italian directors as Antonioni, Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio de Sica, Federico Fellini, Luchino Visconti, and Bernardo Bertolucci. Yet even if the great names of Italian film belong to its directors, its great faces (with all due respect to Marcello Mastroianni) belong to its actresses. For proof, simply go to the Museum of Fine Arts. Starting Friday, the MFA will present a 14-film series, "Signore & Signore: Leading Ladies of Italian Cinema 1941-1977." It runs through Sept. 9.

Herewith our own salute, in pictures and text, to the stars being celebrated at the MFA. (Boldface indicates a movie in the festival.)