— World map- Gianni Ciferri, 1958

PICTORIAL WORLD MAP FROM A TIME WHEN THE WORLD STILL SEEMED IN ORDER, 1958 “Mappamondo Figurato”, offset lithograph designed by Gianni Ciferri and published in Brescia by Editrice La Scuola in 1958, as a supplement to "Scuola Italiana Moderna". Size: approx. 52.7 × 63.5 cm. This colourful pictorial world map was intended to introduce Italian schoolchildren to the different continents in an engaging and accessible way. The continents are only broadly mapped: national borders are omitted and geographical names are kept to a minimum. Instead, Ciferri fills the world with dozens of small, colourful figures of people, animals, ships, aeroplanes and other images then considered characteristic of the various regions. In North America, for example, we see a Canadian Mountie, a figure wearing a feathered headdress, a cowboy and a Mexican in a sombrero. South America is populated by, among others, a gaucho and inhabitants of the Andes, alongside llamas and other animals. Europe is represented by recognisable national types, including a Scotsman in a kilt, a Spanish bullfighter and various figures in traditional dress. Africa is populated by a lion, giraffe, crocodile and rhinoceros, among other animals, as well as inhabitants shown in traditional clothing. In Asia we find a tiger, elephant, camel and cattle, together with figures from India, China, Japan and Siberia. Australia is immediately recognisable from its prominently depicted kangaroos. Along the lower edge lies Antarctica, where penguins, scientists, a research station and a dog team refer to the rapidly growing interest in polar exploration at the time. The map presents an optimistic image of travel, technology and discovery characteristic of the post-war years. It was conceived as a pictorial map rather than as an accurate political map of the world. Ciferri reduced countries and cultures to easily recognisable images for young readers. Some of these inevitably appear stereotypical today, but for precisely that reason the map is also a fascinating document of its time: a moment in history that, in the West, is often associated with an era when the world still seemed to be in order. The map was originally issued folded. The reverse carries a full-page advertisement for Esploriamo, an educational children’s magazine likewise published by Editrice La Scuola. Gianni Ciferri (1925–2020) worked for many years as an artist and illustrator for Editrice La Scuola. His work included illustrations for schoolbooks, children’s literature and magazines. In 2025–2026, his work was included in an exhibition at the Museo di Santa Giulia in Brescia devoted to the important role played by La Scuola’s illustrators in post-war Italian education. Price: Euro 475,-