Signature lower left. Fortunato Depero Archive, Rovereto, authenticity certificate. Publication: La Casa del Mago, by G. Belli, Charta Editions, Milan, 1992, p. 287.
In June 1935 the General Directorate of the Italian Railways announced a competition for a large polychrome decoration (10.52 x 6.60 m) to be created in the new building of the Reggio Emilia railway station designed by the architect. Angelo Mazzoni. Depero presented a large tempera sketch measuring 228 x 141 cm, divided into four superimposed bands, with figures celebrating the Italian aeronautics, Trento and Trieste in the First World War and the African campaign, some views of Reggio Emilia and finally the flags of Bologna, Modena, Reggio Emilia and Ferrara. Ultimately the job was not awarded. But individual preparatory studies for that work, as well as the overall 225 cm high sketch, remain as evidence of the great work done by Depero. The present painting is therefore a preparatory work for the first sketch on the left in the third strip from the top, i.e. a synthetic vision of the (unfinished) Tower of the Church of S. Prospero in Reggio Emilia, in the foreground over other architectures.