Jacovitti's 100th birthday celebrated with dual exhibitions in Termoli and Rome

Two exhibitions mark the centenary of Benito Jacovitti (1923–1997), the legendary Italian cartoonist. The first, "Jacovittissimevolmente. Tutte le follie di Jac!" opened October 7, 2023 at MACTE – Museo di Arte Contemporanea di Termoli, curated by Luca Raffaelli, running until February 24, 2024. It focuses on Jacovitti's technical and stylistic innovations, including his use of fillers (salami, worms), wordplay, kinetic lines, onomatopoeia, and breaking the fourth wall. The second exhibition, "Jacovittissimevolmente. L'incontenibile arte dell'umorismo" curated by Dino Aloi and Silvia Jacovitti with Giulia Ferracci, is at MAXXI Rome's Spazio Extra until February 18, 2024. It features about 400 original drawings and illustrations, including six unpublished plates from 1941's "I tre re" depicting the Pope, King, and Mussolini. The Rome show highlights thematic and sentimental aspects, with sections on KamasuLtra (1977) and Carosello (1960s TV ads). Jacovitti's characters include Cocco Bill, Zorry Kid, and many others. The exhibitions are a joint project between Termoli and Rome, supported by their leading cultural institutions.