METLICOVITZ Leopoldo

Italian ( 1868 - 1944 )

Metlicovitz was a self-taught painter. He became one of the most active Italian posterists of his time. In 1891, Metlicovitz moved from Trieste to Milan to join the printshop, Ricordi, as a lithography ''intern''. A clever man, he was promoted to technical director after one year with Ricordi. His prowess in the design of posters led him to experiment heavily with light and shadow. This experimentation helped to develop Ricordi's trademark style, ''Bourgeois Realism''. ''Bourgeois Realism'' created a standard of fashion and elegance to which average people could aspire.