Paolo Garretto's Caricatures: A Pen Pal's Archive

In a personal reflection, Steven Heller recounts his correspondence with Italian caricaturist Paolo Garretto during the 1980s, a few years before Garretto's death. Heller, a design historian and writer, received letters and monthly packages filled with random clips from Garretto's studio. These included caricatures published in American magazines such as Town & Country and Vanity Fair, as well as the German Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung and unlabeled French magazines. The works span from 1940 (depicting the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Simpson) to 1958 (featuring Onassis). Garretto, known for his art deco style and for designing uniforms for Mussolini's bodyguards, enjoyed caricaturing the rich and powerful, exaggerating their facial flaws. Heller notes that Garretto was rarely vicious but could signal disapproval by amplifying a subject's hidden facial tic, as seen in his depictions of CEOs from America's major industries, including steel and telecommunications. The article includes images from Heller's collection, showcasing the range of Garretto's work. Garretto lived in Italy, New York, and Monaco, where he remained until his death. Heller's correspondence with Garretto continued until the artist's death, with envelopes arriving regularly. The piece is part of PRINT Magazine's Daily Heller column and was originally published in 2014, now reprised.