For Tuss Edizioni, I set out to capture the essence of Cappon Magro, a baroque culinary masterpiece that rises far beyond the modest roots of Ligurian cuisine. The composition unfolds like an opulent bouquet, where vibrant greens, purples, and oranges evoke both the richness of the dish and its sensory excess.
At the heart of the work lies Vito Elio Petrucci’s striking reflection: “Talking about economics with Cappon Magro is like talking about the republic in the king’s house.” This tension runs through the entire visual narrative, shaping a paradox where austerity and abundance coexist.
The illustration traces the dish’s layered history, from its origins as a resourceful creation born of necessity, to its elevation as a refined delicacy embraced by elite tables. It becomes a visual metaphor for the passage of popular cuisine into high society, mirroring shifting ambitions across social classes and historical eras.
Cosmopolitan influences—potentially linked to Napoleonic movements or the cultural reverberations following the Congress of Vienna—add further ambiguity to the story, enriching the dish with a sense of historical drift and cultural contamination.
Alongside this narrative, Emanuela Bava’s photograph and Magenta70’s Risograph print extend the visual language of the project, deepening its material and conceptual texture. Published by Tuss Edizioni, the illustration invites viewers into a layered reflection on food, memory, and transformation, where every recipe becomes a form of quiet alchemy.
Publisher: Tuss Edizioni
Art Direction: Silvia Pesaro
Role: Illustrator
Visuals: Photography by Emanuela Bava
Risograph print: 70Magenta