Wednesday, December 12, 2012

I've Got Mail



Imagine my sheer delight when this package arrived in the mail!
A lovely editorial concept and a great selection of over 
30 of my favorite Matticchio animal drawings... 
what more could I wish for Christmas?


Libretto Postale is the result of a collaboration between Franco, Stefania Camilli of Vanvere Edizioni
and the illustrator and art director Guido Scarabottolo. Some will remember my post about 
Vanvere's first publication, a beautiful and unique book of animal drawings by Scarabottolo. 
In this case, Guido has contributed by working on the graphic project, and most importantly, 
by kindly encouraging the often reluctant Franco to participate in the endeavor.


The result is a wonderful mix between an illustrated book and a postcard collection.
Each page is divided in half by a perforation, so that a large version of the illustration 
can be detached and used as a postcard, while a slightly smaller version remains 
in the book, with space for optional comments and notes by the owner.



The back of each page features an extra illustration.


As if the 16 postcards, which by themselves are well worth the price, were not enough,
the volume contains an extra bonus, this series of 16 poetic fake stamps.


I can't wait to see what the fearless Stefania will conceive and produce next, 
and am proud to have helped in a very small way to make one of her dreams 
come true! And of course, I am immensely grateful to Franco for his genius, 
and so happy that more people are getting to share it...

PS: thanks to Li-AN for asking the obvious question: 
where and how can one buy this book outside Italy?
Just follow this link, and order it directly from Vanvere.


Sunday, December 9, 2012

Halcyon Days



Lindsey CarrHalcyon Days



Vladimir Fedotov, Wood River, 1975, 
and R. Varshamov, Fish House, 1985, thanks to polny_shkaf 


Leonard WeisgardLittle Island



Ikai Tadashi, Blue Ocean, thanks to JennWarburt





J. Kábrt, Jak Zajączek Mateuszek chciał się ślizgać, 1965, 
thanks to 50 Watts and Hipopotam Studio






Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The Conquest of the Earth



Duilio Cambellotti, one of the most significant and eclectic Italian artists 
of the early 20th century, was born in Rome in 1876 and began developing 
his craft skills at the workshop of his father Antonio, a wood carver and decorator.
 After studying at the Museum of Industrial Art in Rome he began working as 
a graphic artist, and in 1897 received a diploma to teach Applied Arts. 


Cambelotti started to work as an independent designer creating objects, lamps and jewels 
in the Art Nouveau style for Italian and International companies, as well as advertising posters. 
Inspired by the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement, he devoted himself with enthusiasm
 to all the applied arts, constantly researching and mastering new media and techniques. 


He was also one of the most prolific and innovative illustrators of his time,
and his works were regularly featured in various important literary magazines.
Around 1913 he began illustrating fairy tales and children's books 
for several important Italian publishers. 


From 1905 until the late 1940s Cambellotti designed sets and costumes for theaters
 including the Opera of Rome and the amphitheaters at Ostia, Taormina, and Syracuse.
His wide range of creative activities also included painting, printmaking, murals, 
sculpture, stained glass, architecture, interior decoration, and ceramics. 

Bull tile, 1910-12

Cambellotti felt a strong bond with the rural world, a recurring subject in his art. 
In these rural roots he found a sense of timeless authenticity lacking in contemporary society. 
However, he was conscious of the backward living condition that characterized that world, 
and together with his friend Alessandro Marcucci and the writers Giovanni Cena and Sibilla Aleramo 
he was actively involved in fighting the miserable situation of farmers in the Roman and Pontine Marshes
Among the works reflecting these themes, I have only recently discovered these woodcuts
 designed by Cambellotti for the covers of The conquest of the earth, a magazine  published
 by the Fascist organization Opera Nazionale Combattenti between 1935 and 1939. 











Throughout this vast body of work, the animal world remains one of Cambellotti's 
main sources of inspiration. And naturally, I'll share more of his art in the near future...


Sunday, December 2, 2012

King of the Barnyard


Istvan Banyai, Zoom 

Károly Reich, thanks to Sun Tear on kidpix


Vyaceslav Legkobit (I have already posted this one, but it's such an happy picture)


K.Ovchinnikov, 1989

Lidija Glinskiené, Little Fire, Conqueror of Seven, 1965

Andrzej Owsiński, Zwierzeta, via polska ilustracja dla dzieci

David Leonard, thanks to Letslookupandsmile



two illustrations from Carlos Marchiori's Sally Go Round the Sun, thanks to bookvart

Ray Garrod, via Retro Graphic Design


Rooster lovers can also visit our previous galleries here, here and here


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