In 1926, when Fortunato Depero presented his futurist-style poster for Campari at the 15th Venice Biennale, he specified it was an “advertising poster— not a sign.” He called it Squisito al Selz, and the painting would later illustrate the manifesto Futurism and Advertising Art, which he published in 1931. Depero’s school of thought influenced the nation, and until the 1950s advertising art was deeply intertwined with fine art. This exhibition brings together 30 posters from various museum collections, starting with Depero’s 1926 poster and ending with works from 1957, the year Italy’s first multi-TV network, RAI, reached stations nationwide. Artists on view include Lucio Fontana, Bruno Munari, and Mario Sironi, who worked for iconic Italian companies like Barilla, Fiat, and Olivetti. —E.C.

Giuseppe Vincenti, Watt Radio, 1931.
From Depero to Rotella: Italian Commercial Posters Between Advertising and Art
Until
Center for Italian Modern Art / New York / Art
Center for Italian Modern Art / New York / Art
Photo: Stabilimento Poligrafico Roggero & Tortia, Torino/Direzione Regionale Musei Veneto/Museo Collezione Salce Treviso
Visit
Center for Italian Modern Art
421 Broome St, 4th floor, New York, NY 10013
Get Directions »
Start a New Search
Subscribers Only
Start your free trial to access the full Arts Intel Report
Subscribe to Air Mail to access every article
and search our entire Arts Intel Report.
Already a subscriber? Sign in here.