Pietro Ruffo Portrays Alex Zanardi on GQ Italia Cover

GQ Italia has launched a new editorial project for 2021 called GQHeroes, dedicating its January cover to a portrait of Alex Zanardi by artist Pietro Ruffo. The cover artwork is based on a photograph by Julian Dufort, who was photographed by Giorgio Benni. Ruffo created the portrait on a thermal blanket, drawing inspiration from 14th-century gold-ground icon painting but updating it with a contemporary material. He stated, 'I decided to portray Alex Zanardi on a thermal blanket because I am interested in the idea of creating a contemporary icon.' The choice of photograph was due to its 'great depth of the close-up, a speaking portrait,' according to Ruffo. Inside the magazine, an article about the artist is written by Alessandra Mammì. GQ Italia editor-in-chief Giovanni Audiffredi explained that the work 'seems thin and fragile but is actually strong, and capable of transmitting warmth.' The project aims to highlight contemporary heroes who embody values of courage and resilience, with Zanardi chosen as the inaugural figure. Friends of Zanardi, including Giorgio Armani, Paolo Barilla, Claudio Arrigoni, and Vittorio Podestà, contributed to describing his personality and intimacy. The initiative was announced on GQ Italia's Instagram and during a presentation on SkyTG24.