Corriere Della Sera – Milano 1898

Adolfo Hohenstein created this advertisement poster for the "Corriere della Sera" newspaper in Milan using lithography. Here, the image creates meaning by associating the newspaper with the swiftness and reliability of Mercury, the Roman messenger god, who is depicted delivering the news high above a bustling modern city. This poster would have been commissioned by the newspaper’s management, self-consciously promoting their product as a vital source of information in a rapidly changing society. It speaks to the socio-economic conditions of turn-of-the-century Italy, reflecting the growth of urban centers and the rise of mass media. To understand this artwork better, we need to research the history of the "Corriere della Sera" newspaper, the development of advertising in Italy, and the cultural significance of classical mythology in Italian society. Attending to these historical and institutional contexts allows us to grasp how art is not simply a reflection of society, but an active participant in shaping it.