Alfredo Malagola in Ravenna: 'The Modesty of Great Humor' on display

Alfredo Malagola in Ravenna: "The Modesty of Great Humor"

From April 18 to May 13, the Manica Lunga of the Biblioteca Classense hosts the exhibition "The Modesty of Great Humor", showcasing the cartoons of Ravenna-born illustrator Alfredo Malagola. Curated by Nevio Galeati in collaboration with the cultural association Pa.Gi.Ne, the display covers Malagola's production from 1947 to 1962.

The show opens with an inauguration on Friday, April 17 at 5:30 PM and is open to the public starting April 18. It brings together about one hundred original cartoons alongside memorabilia and family archive documents that frame the artist's career and creative approach.

Highlights

• About 100 cartoons produced between 1947 and 1962.
• Archival materials and personal memorabilia from the artist's family.
• An exhibition path displaying recurring themes: warriors, centaurs, castaways, athletes and signature character types.
• An exploration of a polite, understated humor and its social role.

Born in Ravenna in 1920, Malagola started publishing cartoons in 1947 and quickly gained national recognition through collaborations with humorous magazines. His signature style features stylized figures — small men with pronounced noses and no necks — and an irony that leans toward suggestion rather than provocation.

During his career he took part in the Salone internazionale dell'umorismo in Bordighera, receiving honors such as the Dattero d'Oro in 1959 and the Dattero d'Argento in 1960. His life and work were cut short by a fatal road accident on September 20, 1962.

Why visit

This exhibition is an opportunity to rediscover a local artist who helped shape twentieth-century Italian cartooning. It appeals both to fans of satirical drawing and to visitors interested in visual storytelling that blends lightness with depth.

Venue: Manica Lunga, Biblioteca Classense, Ravenna
Exhibition dates: 2026-04-18 – 2026-05-13