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LEOPOLDO METLICOVITZ (1868-1944)
9
●
INTERNATIONALE AUSSTELLUNG / MAILAND. 1906.
39
1
/
4
x26
1
/
2
inches, 99
3
/
4
x67
1
/
4
cm. G. Ricordi & C., Milan.
Condition B+: sharp fold and abrasions along right image; repaired tears at edges, some slightly into image;
minor restored loss at upper right corner; minor creases and abrasions in margins and image; margins
slightly trimmed. Mounted on Japan.
A student under Hohenstein at the Ricordi Studios, Metlicovitz quickly became a master of graphic
design in his own right. He was one of the most versatile poster artists and could change his style
from tender Art Nouveau imagery to statuesque allegory. When the Simplon tunnel opened in 1906,
it provided the first direct rail link between Northern Europe and Italy. Featuring an allegorical image
in Liberty style, of which Metlicovitz was a master, this poster won a competition organized to
announce the opening of the tunnel. He depicts Mercury (the God of Commerce) riding on the fender
of a train emerging from the darkness of the tunnel into the wide open Italian countryside, with Milan
in the distance. The poster exists in two sizes, and several different languages. This is the smaller,
German format. Menegazzi 39 (var), Weill 141, Maitres 1900 p. 131 (var).
[3,000/4,000]