Philosophical Study Lithograph by Antonio Manganaro, 1870s

Philosophical Study is and original artwork realized in 1871 by Antonio Manganaro. Original colored lithograph. Good condition, except for the yellowed paper due to the time. This beautiful print is plate no 3. from ''The album of the 500'' (Album dei 500), Tipografia De Angelis, Naples, and represents a satirical scene, titled on the lower center in Italian. On the back, there is a description. Signed and dated on plate on the lower right: Manganaro. Title printed on the lower center. Antonio Manganaro (Manfredonia, 1842 - Naples, 1920). Painter and caricaturist, drawing professor. Early designer, at the age of fourteen he was sent to Naples at the Royal Institute of Art. The expenses were borne by two local patrons, Baron Cessa and Diego Badarò, who awarded him six ducats a month. He soon passed to painting and nude classes, winning prizes and receiving the praises of his masters, including Maldarelli and Postiglione. Arrested for political conspiracy (his family belonged to the Young Italy), he was ordered to leave Naples. I did not comply with the order by hiding with a friend. In 1859 he was part of the secret or action committee and in 1860 he participated in the revolutionary movements that favored the entry of Garibaldi into Naples. Following the General he participated in numerous feats of arms and was also wounded, obtaining a medal. Taking leave of the Mobile National Guards, Noah's Ark was hired as a caricaturist editor in the newspaper, becoming very popular. He then directed another newspaper, The Last Judgment, and finally landed at the Stenterello. He was considered to be on a par with the two other leading caricaturists of his era, namely Errico Colonna and Melchiorre Delfico. In 1885 he obtained the chair of design at the Technical School Giambattista Della Porta in Naples. He left many original caricature albums, among which I Cinquecento the Italian Parliament, Eighty Municipal Councilors of the Palazzo San Giacomo, Provincial Councilors of Naples, Contemporanei, etc.