Type: Limited edition prints
Size: 48cm x 33cm
Tirage: 100 copies
A pencil drawing of the Arditi skull emblem. Arditi (from the Italian verb ardire, lit. "to dare", and translates as "The Daring [Ones]") was the name adopted by The Royal Italian Army elite Special Operations Force in World War I. Their nickname was “Fiamme Nere” / “Black Flames.”
Arditi used a psychological emblem flag, based upon those used by pirates. Although some Units of Arditi used identifiers (Unit Numbers) and various ''patriotic phrasing'', most carried the Banner unadorned.
The field of The Arditi War flag was black in it's entirety. Centered was a human skull in frontal profile. Surrounding the skull cranium was a ''Grass Crown'' or Laurel and oak leaf wreath (a symbol of Ancient Roman heroics). Positioned in the clenched mouth of the skull, was a fighting knife (the primary weapon of The Arditi).
Their motto was "O la vittorio, o tutti accoppati" - we either win, or we all die.
They and the German Stormtroopers were the first modern shock troops, and they have been called "the most feared corps by opposing armies. Reparti d'assalto (Assault Units) were formed in the summer of 1917 by Colonel Bassi and one of their most notable commanders was Gabriele D’Annunzio.
With grenades in hand and daggers in their teeth, the ferocious men of the "Arditi" Corps hold a special place in Italian military history, right alongside Caesar's Legions, and Garibaldi's Legions.
Throughout history, the skull held special significance in religion, art and the world of decorative design. However, its symbolic meaning varies greatly between cultures and religions, and what any individual perceives is often tempered by personal aesthetics and fashion. Traditionally, the skull represents death, evil, fear and mortality; but it can also symbolize the complete opposite: protection, power and gratitude toward life.
