The Puglieser is one of many imaginary magazines inspired by The New Yorker covers, showcasing various illustrators. This issue focused on themes from Puglia, my home region. I was assigned the “Disfida di Barletta.” After studying the historical duel and creating several sketches, I chose a side view composition—as if watching from the edge of the field. I gave the piece a protagonist: Ettore Fieramosca, the Italian knight who led the troops. I affectionately called him “Ettorone” a nickname that means ‘Ettore the Great’, throughout the process. I researched heraldry and armor, applying emblems to the knights based on their regions, imagining them approaching from the left. My goal was a visual style balanced between cartoon and painting—ironic yet full of character. The composition also allowed for a glimpse of the countryside. I had fun working on the battlefield textures, aiming for a camouflage blend of dry soil and wild grass to reflect the land of Puglia.
