Originating in Italy in 1947, the photo-novel was an instant success. It would remain a bestselling genre of popular literature worldwide for nearly a quarter of a century. Magazines were passed from hand to hand, and readers were counted in the millions. 

This exhibition examines its origins, from its debut to the development of its archetypes, and even its deviances. The aim is to move beyond stereotypes of the photo-novel as merely a ‘soap opera’ genre, and recognise it as a reflection of society. Through more than 300 objects (magazines, original photographs, models, films...), the exhibition retraces an era, its dreams and its fears, and features novel treasures like a collection from the Italian publisher Mondadori.

Although its golden age is long past, the photo-novel is not dead. Nous Deux still publishes 350,000 copies a week and can now be read online. More importantly, the photo-novel has been continually replicated. Pornographers, structuralists, writers, and satirists have appropriated its narrative style to tell of other things than just love stories that end well.

Jealousies and betrayals, tender kisses and broken hearts, dolce vita and class warfare: Photo-Novel is a serial rich in surprises, twists and aesthetic thunderbolts that is absolutely not to be missed!