Rediscovering or encountering for the first time I promessi sposi through the images and films that have paid tribute to it over more than a century. The exhibition for the whole family at Wow spazio fumetto in Milan.
Images, as we know, are often the most effective means of storytelling. It is therefore no surprise that one of the most famous novels in Italian literature, I promessi sposi by Alessandro Manzoni, first published in 1827, has inspired dozens of comics adaptations, parodies and film and television versions over the past two centuries.
These materials now take centre stage in the exhibition Alla scoperta dei promessi sposi at Wow spazio fumetto – Museo del fumetto, dell'illustrazione e dell'immagine animata in Milan until 7 May. A precious opportunity to rediscover and introduce even the youngest visitors to a true treasure of our culture in a fun, stimulating and surprise-filled way.
From the very first publication, Renzo, Lucia and all the protagonists of the novel began to take on faces and likenesses — not only in readers' imaginations but also across a great many drawing boards — giving rise to a series of initially unauthorised adaptations of Manzoni's most celebrated work. Following this tradition, in 1840 the author himself officially commissioned the young painter Francesco Gonin to illustrate his definitive, linguistically revised edition of the work. It was an undertaking he followed closely, resulting in the creation of hundreds of magnificent illustrations.
One of these plates, depicting Renzo, Lucia and her mother Agnese, is on display at the Milan exhibition, where an entire section is devoted to how the novel's main characters have been portrayed over the years in illustrated plates and comics. All the drawings are accompanied by curiosities and anecdotes that delve into the characters' stories and their origins. Some of these intertwine with reality, such as those of the Innominato and the Nun of Monza, for whom Manzoni drew inspiration from real historical figures.
This fascinating journey through the illustrated adaptations of the novel continues in the section dedicated to the most celebrated comics, illustrated and parodic versions of I promessi sposi published from the 1950s onwards. This is where children will find some of their favourite characters: from the Disney parodies I promessi paperi and I promessi topi to the "prehistoric" versions featuring the Flintstones.
But this visit will also be an opportunity to discover vintage pieces that parents and grandparents will probably be better placed to explain. On display are also the Alan Ford parodies, the comics editions by Domenico Natoli produced for Magnesia San Pellegrino, the original plates by Claudio Nizzi and Paolo Piffarerio published in Il Giornalino, the legendary Liebig cards dedicated to Alessandro Manzoni, and the comics published in cult titles such as Corriere dei piccoli and Lo scolaro.
A true journey back in time, which will conclude with an entertaining diagram allowing visitors to relive the most celebrated moments of Manzoni's masterpiece through drawings by Marcello Toninelli taken from his recent volume Renzo e Lucia – i Promessi sposi a fumetti.
The exhibition will also be an opportunity to learn more about the setting not only of the work itself but also of the era and the figure of Alessandro Manzoni. At Wow spazio fumetto, everyone will have the chance to discover a Milan very different from today's, "strolling" alongside Renzo through the city's streets thanks to period maps and prints made available by the Civica raccolta di stampe Bertarelli (Italy's largest collection of prints, housed at the Castello Sforzesco).
Thanks to these in-depth studies, the exhibition has become the centrepiece of numerous activities dedicated to young people, with the development of "Manzonian itineraries", guided tours of the area and themed drawing workshops made possible through the involvement of other Milanese and Lombard cultural organisations.
In addition to the many illustrated adaptations, I promessi sposi has over the years also inspired numerous film and television versions. The exhibition will be an opportunity to discover them through film posters, lobby cards, photobustas, postcards and videos. A journey that allows visitors to relive this century-long story, from Eleuterio Rodolfi's 1913 silent film to the video Promessi sposi in 10 minuti by the comedy group Oblivion, which went viral a few years ago on YouTube. Not forgetting the 1941 film with Gino Cervi and the celebrated 1967 Rai television serial, the blockbuster directed by Salvatore Nocita in 1989, and the various versions (including parodies) dedicated to the Monaca di Monza.
A true journey through time to encounter the many Renzo and Lucia figures imagined and reinterpreted by countless artists and authors across a century of history.
The exhibition is open Tuesday to Friday from 3pm to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday from 3pm to 8pm. Closed on Mondays.