Event Details
- Start Date: 01/06/2026
- End Date: 11/10/2026
- Location: Garda Trentino
In Riva del Garda, an evocative exhibition invites us to explore a lesser-known facet of the First World War. “From Rifle to Pencil” is more than a display; it is an intimate journey into the experiences of men who, amidst the horrors of conflict, found solace and a compelling need to express themselves through writing and drawing. Thoughtfully curated by Sara Visintainer and Andrea Casna, in collaboration with the Forte delle Benne di Levico Association, this exhibition reveals how pencils and pens became powerful tools of memory and testimony.
The Great War left profound scars not only on the geopolitical landscape but also on the human spirit. Alongside diaries and letters, drawing emerged as an immediate language to capture the daily life at the front, the rawest emotions, and fragments of existence that might otherwise have been lost. The digital reproductions on display are drawn from esteemed archives such as the Fondazione Museo Storico del Trentino and the Italian War History Museum of Rovereto, enriched by a private collection.
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Through the eyes of five authors, two Italian soldiers and three from Trentino in Austro-Hungarian uniform, the exhibition weaves a collective visual narrative. Franchini, Valle, and Cicona document the Austro-Hungarian front, recounting battles, hospitals, and captivity, offering images of poignant intensity. These voices are joined by the works of professional artists such as Pietro Morando, who explores the suffering of Italian infantrymen, and Anselmo Bucci, whose drypoint etchings depict the daily lives of volunteers. Collectively, these works form a moving visual chronicle of the wartime experience across various fronts, offering a perspective that encourages reflection on the present, still marked by conflicts and tensions.
