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3 Works 25 Members 4 Reviews

Works by Giacomo Patri

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Common Knowledge

Canonical name
Patri, Giacomo
Legal name
Patri, Giacomo Guiseppe
Birthdate
1898
Date of death
1978
Gender
male
Nationality
USA
Italy (birth)
Occupations
illustrator
painter
instructor

Members

Reviews

White Collar: A Novel in Linocuts by Giacomo Patri is a striking work of art. This is a great example of an early graphic novel. Patri originally self-published the book in true DIY style in the late 1930s. The novel depicts the trials of an advertising illustrator and his family in the years following the Great Depression.

The story begins in 1929 when the illustrator is gainfully employed. He seems to look down on or at least ignore the struggling blue collar workers he passes on his commute. He is the proverbial company man. Then the stock market crashes. He loses his job, and we see his family's journey on the downward spiral. White collar is obviously socialist labor movement propaganda; however, the simple truths it embodies are profound.

Like a silent movie, the novel has no dialogue or traditional narration panels. Patri sparingly uses words on books, bills, and signs to give clues of the action taking place. He captures a remarkable amount of emotion in the stark black and white of the linocuts. The interactions between the illustrator and his wife are particularly painful. As a graphic novel, this is a early example of illustration being used to deliver a long-form story with serious content meant for adults.

The original copies hand made by Patri are difficult to find and very expensive. Luckily, Dover Graphic Novels has recently published affordable versions in hardcover and paperback. It's a very nice piece of graphic novel history.
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1 vote
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wilsonknut | 3 other reviews | Dec 3, 2016 |
As dramatic as anything can be

While I never review novels, White Collar is hardly that. It is graphic art as dramatic as anything you might have seen. It is also largely autobiographical, and a clear message from the political left. All these things attracted me, and I was more than amply rewarded. This is a gem I had no knowledge of.

Patri seems to have made this effort to show Labor that white collar workers were just as much at risk, just as much abused, and just as greatly suffering in the Great Depression as blue collar workers were. It’s a simple story of struggle and loss, but done without text – a graphic novel from 80 years ago. He had to print it himself, of course, but it has gone on to worldwide acclaim (and publication) ever since.

It took Patri, a largely self-taught illustrator, Italian immigrant, and polio victim, two years to produce the 125 images in the book. They are linocuts – cuts in linoleum mounted on a wood base. As an advertising illustrator by profession, Patri seemed to want to shed blood to send his message this way.

The style reminds me of my own favorite illustrator of the same era, Boris Artzybasheff. They both have an art deco, stylish swirl, a high contrast starkness, and an eye-catching dramatic effect on the viewer.

I am delighted Dover has resurrected this book for a new age – of wage slaves, foreclosure victims, and debtors. It might be an old story, but it remains fresh.

David Wineberg
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1 vote
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DavidWineberg | 3 other reviews | Sep 2, 2016 |
Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
 
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fernandie | 3 other reviews | Sep 15, 2022 |

Statistics

Works
3
Members
25
Popularity
#508,561
Rating
3.9
Reviews
4
ISBNs
4
Languages
1