"L’umorismo, in ogni fatto, cerca e trova il lato non conosciuto"

The paintings of Sebastiano De Albertis (Milan, 1828-1897), and particularly those depicting themes of the Risorgimento, have often been brought to the attention of the public and critics as well, while his graphic work has been so far relatively neglected. Of such a vast production, the essay analyzes one particular aspect, which casts new light on De Albertis’ art: his caricatures, and specifically the illustrations for two satire journals of the 1850s and 1860s, «L’Uomo di Pietra» and «Lo Spirito Folletto», and a series of caricature portraits from the collection of the Civica Raccolta delle Stampe Achille Bertarelli in Milan. These apparently ‘minor’ works are nonetheless a testimony of the artist’s celebrated wit and drawing ability, his being part to the climate of the early Milanese Scapigliatura and the friendship and mutual consideration between him and many exponents of Milan’s aristocracy and haute bourgeoisie, the most common targets of his irony.