„Европски сабласни плес” Алберта Мартинија 1914–1916.
Alberto Martini’s “La danza macabra europea” 1914–1916

Summary/Abstract: The article analyzes the distinctive artistic style of the Italian artist Alberto Martini in the context of the First World War. A particular focus is placed on the contents of the lithographs entitled La danza macabre europea, which he produced in five series between 1914 and the first half of 1916. The emphasis is placed on the problematization of the unusual artistic expression inspired by the late medieval motif of the Danse macabre. The relationship between Martini’s unequivocal propagandist motives of the Italian Irredente and the authentic critique of the world war as an unbridled Dance of Death is discussed. The re-actualization of Martini’s drawings during the previous decade, especially on the occasion of the anniversaries related to the First World War, finds its justification in the fact that his work La danza macabre europea, although difficult to understand without knowing the context of the Great War, achieved a permanent, timeless value, going beyond simple propaganda for clients. Martini wants to alarm the entire European public with a message that appeals to humanity and calls for an end to the spiral of catastrophic suffering. Some of his lithographs incredibly boldly attack all of humanity with sharp, obscene, disgusting, and witty satire. All five series are a critique of belligerence, greed, cruelty, hypocrisy, rapacity, exploitation, and imagined and real power. At the same time, Martini left his most poisonous satire for the holders of political power. He paints them in a variety of ways, but almost always with a touch of “macabrocomic”, depending on the context and the message he wants to send to the recipient. All 54 lithographs reproduced as postcards in mentioned series were thoroughly analyzed. Topics, personalities, or events concerning the Balkans are especially covered.

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