The magic of Christmas drawn by a Venetian cartoonist. The snow falls on the iconic, and loved by all, characters living in Duckburg and Mousetown which are brought to life by the hand of Giorgio Cavazzano, one of the most famous cartoonists of the Disney world who always brings a little piece of Venice in each of his works.
For decades now the master of comic books, Cavazzano, has brought a joyful spirit in the house of people, creating the Christmas stories of those funny characters that has marked his entire career. Characters such as Minnie, Hooch, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck or even Mickey Mouse, Uncle Scrooge, Huey Dewey, and Louie, and all the other friends living in the enchanted world of Duckburg. Giorgio Cavazzano dresses up the stories of all these Disney characters, plunging them with his technique into an enchanted atmosphere made of Christmas trees, gifts, decorations and a lot of magic.
Among the most beautiful Mickey Mouse cover illustrations drawn by Giorgio Cavazzano we have the one dating back to 1985 in the comic’s 1569 issue: a cover with the atmosphere of yesteryear wishing happy holidays to its readers with Uncle Scrooge, Donald Duck and Huey Dewey, and Louie fiercely smiling while into an enchanted bubble full of gifts, colorful streamers and Christmas trees. In the issue 3038 of Mickey Mouse of 2014, Cavazzano dressed up as Santa Claus, one of the most iconic characters of the Disney world: Uncle Scrooge, taking the readers into the magical atmosphere of Christmas. Another masterpiece to mention is the cover illustration of 1994, Mickey Mouse issue number 2039, where an enchanting moment of daily life depicts Donald Duck in the shoes of Santa Claus breaking the fourth wall and watching readers straight in their face, inviting them to keep silent and do not wake up his grandchildren who sleep on the sofa pending the arrival of their gifts. Not to speak of the most recent Christmas cover illustration drawn by Cavazzano in the Mickey Mouse issue number 3135, where Minnie, Mickey, Donald Duck and Hooch stares at a sleight full of Christmas gift mesmerized and surrounded by a snowy landscape ready to give joy to all the children of the world.
Besides Christmas, for more than 50 years Giorgio Cavazzano brings among the pages of the iconic comic book its beloved city: Venice. Cavazzano has grown up in Fondamenta degli Ormesini, in the Cannaregio district, between the “calli” of the city, in front of which was Tintoretto’s house, with the unforgettable smell of food that surrounded his neighborhood when the lunch in his kindergarten in Sant’Alvise was ready. Venice is in every corner of Cavazzano stories, and in each of those sketches that, placed side by side, bring to life the iconic characters of one of most famous comic books in history.
We find Venice in the corners of Duckburg and in the faces of the characters living in this imaginary world. Venice is hidden in the stories of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Minnie and in their fellow adventurers but, most of all Venice, that this year celebrates its 1600 years, is well fixed in the mind and heart of Cavazanno who, beside moving out the town at the age of 14, has always brought the city with him.
“I always see Venice when I stare out of my window, even if for many years now, my house no longer overlooks that wonderful view- says Giorgio Cavazzano- however, in front of me I will always see the Madonna della Salute church, the Grand Canal, seagulls flying over the streets having that top view I always dreamed. I came from Venice and I always carry with me my city, in each of my drawings, because Venice has affected my whole work, and indeed, to be honest, it made it possible”.
Its mood shifting between romantic and melancholy, this man, whose characters are very well recognizable reading one of the most iconic comic books, loved by children of all time, still remembers today, at the age of 74, the moment when he realized that his future would be to draw stories.
“Still today I remember the precise moment when I fell in love with drawing- Cavazzano says- I was eight and I had a fever. Keeping me company there was my cousin, who was a cartoonist. He arrived with a bunch of paper in his hand and a pencil, saying “draw some ships” and so I started. That afternoon I scribbled ships on papers filled with sketches, alone in my room, and from that moment on I realized that I was going to become a cartoonist like my cousin, and spend my whole life drawing”.
Cavazzano loves the flaws and virtues of his city, and their relationship has never changed even before difficulties.
“I remember my father reading me books with his gloves on, since it was too cold inside our house- continues Cavazzano- Or the days when high tide forced me to help my parents to move the furniture upstairs so as not to get them ruined by the water. I have always thought Venice was charming, and quaint, even in its dark sides”.
And it's precisely because of his love for this city that Cavazzano decided to give her the stage in some of his most beautiful stories. Venice, in fact, plays as a background in some of the most exciting adventures of the Disney world, as the one that we find between the pages of Mickey Mouse 2858’ issue, where Donald Duck plays the role of a Venetians 007, darting through the canals on its motorboat. We find Venice also in Mickey Mouse 3249’ issue, where the history of the foundation of the Gallerie dell’Accademia is told through the eyes of Minnie, Hooch, and Peg- Leg Pete. It is based in Venice also its latest project, which is ready to talk about a Viking tale taking place right between the streets of the lagoon city. The Venice Arsenale will become the main character of this new and exciting Disney adventure, which will come to life through the hand of Cavazzano. Here the characters of the iconic comic book will find themselves grappling with some mysterious messages which will appear on the lion marbles of the historic Venetian shipyard.
The many stories already set in Venice Serenissima Republic are now joined by a new adventure: ducks and mice are often, in fact, placed among those streets and canals to face adventures looking for some lost treasure, or to save the iconic monuments of the city, to conquer the Golden Lion prize at the Venice Film Festival, or again, dressed up as Marco Polo ready to make some trouble during Venice Carnival. Paper heros, who fulfill children’s dreams, that seem to never lose the magic of those unknown worlds placed on the background of an always full of charm Venice.