In addition to the paintings that are already in the historical collection of the museum, the MAGI owns also a core of sketches for stage costumes by Carlo Levi (Turin, 1902- Rome, 1975), very unusual and precious because it documents a particular aspect of the activity of this artist and writer.
The collection, safeguarded by the museum, is linked to a film unfortunately almost completely lost, the movie Pietro Micca, shot in 1938 under the direction of Aldo Vergano, of which only 5 minutes remain at the National Cinema Museum of Turin. The movie, the story of the martyr’s life involved in the defense of the citadel of Turin where he blew himself up in order to withstand the French siege in 1706, was shot with clear ethical and patriotic intentions. The sketches were created in collaboration with Carlo Mollino and they demonstrate that the artist was fascinated by the world of cinema, where he experienced also as a set designer (Patatrac) and screenwriter (Il grido della Terra).
Figure of great importance in the culture of the Italian neo-realism of the Twentieth Century, Carlo Levi was active in the literary field – as journalist and writer, with well known works as Cristo si è fermato ad Eboli (Christ stopped at Eboli- 1945), Le parole sono pietre (Words are stones- 1955), Il futuro ha un cuore antico (Future has an ancient heart- 1956) – and in the visual art, in which he had always claimed freedom of expression against every regime, taking part in the Group of six of Turin.
