Italy of the Miracle: Art, Design and Advertising (1948–1968) at the

Italy of the Miracle: Art, Design and Advertising (1948–1968)

From 26 March to 7 June 2026 the Rocca di Lonato del Garda presents an exhibition focused on Italy’s postwar economic boom. Based on the collection of the Massimo and Sonia Cirulli Foundation, the show explores how graphic design, advertising and industrial design shaped the international image of Made in Italy.

Why go

The exhibition offers a thematic route illustrating the shift from postwar recovery to a society oriented toward consumption, leisure and industrial innovation. Visitors will find posters, photographs and design projects that influenced tastes, everyday habits and national symbols.

Exhibition layout

• Childlike advertising: reassuring and joyful imagery employed to connect new products with hope and normality, featuring works by Bruno Munari, Giovanni Pintori, Marcello Nizzoli and Erberto Carboni.
• Italy on the move: campaigns celebrating travel and leisure, mobility icons such as the Fiat 500 and Vespa, and memorable advertising for brands like Barilla and Campari.
• Textile industry and design: projects that combine craftsmanship and industrial production, highlighting figures such as Ettore Sottsass, Lucio Fontana, Piero Dorazio and Jeanne Grignani.

Practical information

• Venue: Rocca di Lonato del Garda, Via Rocca 2, Lonato del Garda (BS), Italy
• Dates: 2026-03-26 – 2026-06-07
• Admission: €6
• Info & bookings: +39 051 6288300 • [email protected]
• Official website: http://www.fondazionecirulli.org

Cultural significance

Set within a striking medieval fortress overlooking Lake Garda, the exhibition creates a conversation between historical architecture and twentieth-century visual culture. The juxtaposition of the Rocca’s spaces with works by major names in design and graphics highlights the creative optimism that contributed to Italy’s international reputation.

Recommended for those interested in design history, visual communication and cultural heritage, the show speaks to scholars, enthusiasts and general visitors alike.