“La danza macabra della Grande Guerra” – Satire that describes the darkest periods

The inauguration of the exhibition “La danza macabra della Grande Guerra” (The Great War’s macabre dance) takes place Friday 27 June, at the Museum of Satire and Caricature in Forte dei Marmi, exactly 100 years after the outbreak of the First World War.

The works, from the biggest collection of its kind, belonging to Lodovico Isolabella, are mostly original drawings and paintings by the greatest artists of the time, created for the press to boost the troops’ morale.

Many of the works are dark, with death hanging over them, including the incredibly suggestive masterpieces by the renowned artist Mario Sironi, who published his powerful colour plates in the military newspaper “Il Montello”. There are also a series of 54 lithographs of surrealist imprint against the cruelty of war, with a ferocious satire not only of the Teutonic Barbarians, but also the Allies and Italian patriotism, by Alberto Martini. The exhibition also includes works by Castellucci and Bisi, caricatures by Gabriele Galantara, Rubino, Scarpelli and many others.

While concentrating on the satirical and humorous representation of the war by Italian artists, the exhibition also includes Austro-German iconography. The exhibition aims to offer an artist’s vision of the Great War, that was a tragedy both for the winners and losers, of which the fallen from either side deserve to be remembered with equal respect.

“La danza macabra della Grande Guerra”, curated by Cinzia Bibolotti, Franco Calotti and Linda Gorgoni Gufoni, runs until 28 September, open every day, with free admission:
Monday to Saturday: 17.00-20.00 | 21.00-24.00
Sunday morning:10.00 – 13.00.