Mino Maccari, The Master of Steam, Ink Drawing, 1938

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Ink on paper, hand signed (barely visible) and dated. A lively and incisive drawing by Mino Maccari, executed in ink … Read more Ink on paper, hand signed (barely visible) and dated. A lively and incisive drawing by Mino Maccari, executed in ink on warm-toned paper, depicting a grotesque interior scene animated by caricatural figures and curling plumes of smoke. The composition is dominated by a seated male figure shown in profile, his exaggerated physiognomy and compact, monumental body rendered with bold, assured line. Around him, secondary elements—chairs, mechanical or domestic objects, and a smaller attendant figure—contribute to a dense narrative setting rich in ironic detail. Maccari’s line is nervous yet controlled, alternating swift, calligraphic contours with areas of hatched shading that reinforce volume and expression. The stylized distortion of anatomy and the theatrical arrangement of space are characteristic of the artist’s satirical language, in which social observation and visual wit merge seamlessly. The presence of smoke and mechanical motifs heightens the sense of absurdity and implicit commentary, evoking the world of modern habits and power structures frequently targeted in Maccari’s graphic work. This drawing is a fine example of Maccari’s mature satirical imagination, closely related to his activity as a polemical illustrator and cartoonist for journals and independent publications. It demonstrates his ability to transform everyday scenes into biting visual allegories through the economy and precision of drawing. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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