Illustrating Quo vadis in Italy (1900–1925)

Abstract

In Italy, from the beginning of the twentieth century, illustrated editions of Quo vadis multiply, starting from that of Treves with drawings by Minardi (1901), down to the popular edition by ‘Gloriosa’ (1921). Related paratexts from the novel and its two cinematic adaptations by Guazzoni (1913) and D’Annunzio–Jacoby (1924) flank these numerous illustrated editions, such as a series of photosculptures by Mastroianni and postcards displaying scenes from the films. Sienkiewicz’s novel itself works on several levels, each one involving a large audience: from a popular one to educated readers. The illustrated editions and postcard series will be dealt with as paratexts, analysed not in terms of their aesthetics or fidelity to the plot but as elements widening the interpretation of Quo vadis in the context of Italian society and culture of that time, and taking into consideration the expectations of an Italian audience. Placed in editions of the novel, the iconographic choices displayed in the illustrations play the role of glosses, or even act as the voices of readers/viewers. Thanks to these paratexts, the novel gains new meanings. Our inquiry has been limited to the period 1900 to 1930, to coincide with the end of the silent-film era and the fading of the echo caused by D’Annunzio and Jacoby’s film. The two films will be the constant iconographic reference point because of their accumulation of all the preceding illustration strategies for Quo vadis and their influence on the subsequent typology of illustrations in a continuous circulation of media.