Sep 7, 2019 – Nov 10, 2019. PORTLAND ART MUSEUM. 1219 SW Park Avenue. Portland, OR 97205. Giovanni “Gianni” Rodari was a celebrated Italian writer, journalist, and children’s author. Considered by many to be Italy’s most important twentieth-century writer for children, Rodari was awarded the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1970 to recognize his achievements.

In honor of the centenary of Rodari’s birth, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Regione Emilia Romagna, and the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco have partnered to present an exhibition of original illustrations for Rodari’s books. The exhibition represents a timeline of Italian design, introducing historical figures like Bruno Munari and Emanuele Luzzati, as well as contemporary artists, many of whom are internationally recognized.