Drawn Lives: Graphic biographies between art and storytelling

In recent years, the biographical comic has increasingly established itself as a significant genre within contemporary graphic novels. Telling the lives of artists, historical figures, or cultural personalities through the language of comics means combining research, visual interpretation, and narrative storytelling.

Starting from the works dedicated to Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele by Otto Gabos, this talk will explore the potential and challenges of graphic biography: how a life is researched and documented, how history is translated into images, and how a balance is struck between historical accuracy and authorial interpretation.

With Otto Gabos, in conversation with Sabrina Perucca, Artistic Director of Romics, the discussion will reflect on how drawn biographies are becoming a true graphic novel genre, capable of bringing new readers closer to art history and the great figures of the past.