Mostra del Ciclo e dell’Automobile Milano
Lithography on paper
Leopoldo Metlicovitz was an Italian painter, illustrator and poster designer. He is considered to be one of the fathers of modern (Art Nouveau) Italian poster art.
In 1892 Metlicovitz began creating posters and illustrations for Giulio Ricordi, a publisher of primarily Italian classical music and opera. Many of the works of the most famous composers of the time were advertised on posters signed by Metlicovitz: from Giacomo Puccini’s “Tosca” (1900) and “Madame Butterfly” (1904) to “Iris” by Pietro Mascagni (1898).
In this poster we are introduced to the heroic aspect of the vehicle with a Michelangelesque male nude conveying an optimism and confidence in the future.
Printed by Off. G. Ricordi & C.- Milano.