In Gioco. Illusion and Fun in Italian Art 1850-1950

The volume explores a century of Italian art through the themes of play, illusion, and entertainment. Featuring over 110 works by around 80 artists, it brings together paintings and sculptures that reveal how games, childhood fantasies, popular performances, and modern sports shaped visual culture between 1850 and 1950.

From intimate scenes of children imitating adults (Silvestro Lega, Domenico Toma) to circus jesters, carnival masks, and Futurist visions of dynamism (Gino Severini, Carlo Carrà, Marino Marini), the book traces a vivid journey through illusion and delight. Richly illustrated, the catalog highlights both celebrated masters and lesser-known figures, offering fresh insights into how Italian artists captured the joy, tension, and symbolism of play across generations.