Established in 1948 following a proposal by Dino Villani and with the backing of Cesare Zavattini, the prize was notable for its jury, comprising not only of experts but factory, office and farm workers, and for its prizes, consisting in produce of labour and the land.

The prize has always favoured realism in art, with particular concern for social issues. The prize-winning paintings form a rich permanent collection that includes works by Guttuso, Sassu, Birolli, Romagnoli, Zigaina and Ligabue.