cover by Della Valle, 1906
Il giornalino della Domenica was the most beautiful and innovative children's periodical
published in Italy at the beginning of the 20th century. It was founded in Florence
by Luigi Bertelli (1858-1920), a journalist and children's book author better known as Vamba.
The most notable of Vamba's children's books is the humorous Il giornalino di Gian Burrasca,
which was first published in installments in Il giornalino della Domenica and is still in print.
(like many Italian children of the '60s, I both read the book and watched the tv series derived from it
in which the leading role, a rebellious little boy, was played by the female pop star Rita Pavone).
published in Italy at the beginning of the 20th century. It was founded in Florence
by Luigi Bertelli (1858-1920), a journalist and children's book author better known as Vamba.
The most notable of Vamba's children's books is the humorous Il giornalino di Gian Burrasca,
which was first published in installments in Il giornalino della Domenica and is still in print.
(like many Italian children of the '60s, I both read the book and watched the tv series derived from it
in which the leading role, a rebellious little boy, was played by the female pop star Rita Pavone).
cover by Baby (Roberto Bracco), 1906
cover by Umberto Brunelleschi, 1907
cover by R. Bernardi, 1908
two covers by Antonio Rubino, 1908
The contents of Il giornalino della Domenica were characterized by a strong pedagogical intent and
markedly patriotic tone. At the time Italy had been unified for less than 50 years, and the magazine
markedly patriotic tone. At the time Italy had been unified for less than 50 years, and the magazine
carried on the Risorgimento purpose to "make Italians" by promoting a common language and cultural values.
The contributors were among the most prominent Italian writers of the period, including Luigi Capuana,
Edmondo De Amicis, Giovanni Pascoli, Grazia Deledda, Emilio Salgari, Matilde Serao, Sem Benelli,
F.T. Marinetti, Scipio Slataper, Roberto Bracco Ada Negri, and Luigi Pirandello.
three covers by Ottorino Andreini, 1909-10
Il giornalino's first issue came out June 24, 1906. Due to economical difficulties, its publication
was interrupted between 1911 and 1913, then continued, with a series of ups and downs, until 1927.
From the beginning the magazine adopted an avant-garde style, and was characterized by the quality
of its illustrations, created by some of the leading artists of the time. Antonio Rubino, Filiberto Scarpelli,
Umberto Brunelleschi, Ugo Finozzi, Marcello Dudovich, Mario Pompei, Sergio Tofano, Ezio Anichini, Lorenzo Viani
and many others, for a total of over 150 artists, were featured in Il giornalino during its sixteen years' run.
cover by Filiberto Scarpelli, 1909
two covers by Giuseppe Biasi, 1907-10
Il giornalino was aesthetically remarkable for many reasons, including its avant-garde style,
its pioneering use of photographs and color offset printing, the attractive clarity of its layouts,
and the quality of its paper. Such attention to high graphic standards was rare in children's publishing,
and makes it still one of the most beautiful children's periodicals ever published in Italy.
cover by Argo, 1919
cover by N. Borifina, 1919
The cover illustrations were modern, ironic and elegant, and closely reflected the artistic trends
of the time, from the initial Art Nouveau influence to the Art Deco style of the 1920s.
A series of competitions organized by the magazine for its covers ushered in a season of exhibitions
of the illustrations in various events, including the Biennale of Decorative Arts in Monza in 1923.
The competitions were part of the magazine's efforts in discovering and supporting new talents,
and many who began at Il giornalino went on on to become important illustrators and commercial artists.
of the time, from the initial Art Nouveau influence to the Art Deco style of the 1920s.
A series of competitions organized by the magazine for its covers ushered in a season of exhibitions
of the illustrations in various events, including the Biennale of Decorative Arts in Monza in 1923.
The competitions were part of the magazine's efforts in discovering and supporting new talents,
and many who began at Il giornalino went on on to become important illustrators and commercial artists.
cover by Alberto Alberti, 1920
cover by Armando Bandinelli, 1920
cover by Sto (Sergio Tofano), 1921
For this first selection of covers I have chosen a rather frequent subject, little girls
interacting with various domesticated animals and pets. More galleries will follow.
