Who first depicted Viareggio's Burlamacco mascot in 1931?

Uberto Bonetti first depicted Viareggio’s Burlamacco mascot in 1931.

Bonetti was a Viareggio painter, graphic artist and designer who created Burlamacco as a modern emblem for the city’s carnival. The character was designed in 1930 and then appeared on the official poster for the 1931 edition, which is why 1931 is commonly given as Burlamacco’s first public appearance. That poster also introduced Ondina, a companion figure associated with Viareggio’s beach and summer season.

Burlamacco’s appearance was deliberately composite. Bonetti drew on familiar Italian theatrical masks and gave the new character a red-and-white diamond-patterned suit, black cape, tall hat and clown-like face. The result was neither a revival of one older mask nor a simple copy of Arlecchino, Pantalone or Pulcinella.

One detail often causes confusion: Bonetti created the design in 1930, but the mascot was first displayed to a wider carnival audience in the 1931 poster. Later versions changed stylistically, yet the original design remained the foundation of Viareggio’s official carnival imagery.