The Italian editions of the Harry Potter books feature some of the most interesting and abstract designs of the international editions. Working from limited briefs and to tight deadlines, Serena Riglietti produced some rather unconventional interpretations of scenes for the original children’s editions. The 2021 editions (designed by Michele De Lucchi and illustrated by Andreas Rocha) feature a unique architectural approach to the cover artwork, where characters take a backseat to buildings and landscapes.
Philosopher’s Stone (Book 1)
Harry Potter e la pietra filosofale was first published in Italy in 1998. The original children’s edition shows Harry playing chess next to a mouse and wearing a suitably absurd mouse hat, a stylistic invention of the illustrator. Riglietti had a limited brief and hadn’t read the first book, so she focused on the idea of Harry having ‘animal companions’. An earlier illustration showed Harry without glasses or a scar; these details were subsequently added.
The 2021 edition shows an architectural interpretation of Hogwarts Castle, inspired by De Lucchi’s Abbazie conceptual structures. Harry and Hagrid appear in the foreground.
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Chamber of Secrets (Book 2)
Harry Potter e la camera dei segreti was first published in Italy in 1999. The original children’s edition shows Harry riding a giant book (perhaps a reference to Tom Riddle’s diary), and again wearing an animal hat — the snake being a little more thematically relevant to the second book. According to Riglietti, the publisher didn’t want character illustrations resembling the actors who would go on to play them on film, so she drew Harry with his back to the viewer.
The 2021 edition shows the Burrow, inspired by De Lucchi’s Cataste sculptures, assembled from stacked pieces of wood.
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Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3)
Harry Potter e il prigioniero di Azkaban was first published in Italy in 2000. The original children’s edition shows Harry and Hermione riding Buckbeak the Hippogriff, a scene depicted on both the UK and US children’s editions, and numerous ‘Azkaban’ covers around the world. Harry and Hermione are both obscured (Hermione with a scarf and Harry shown in profile), to avoid film comparisons.
The 2021 edition shows Azkaban fortress, inspired by Michele De Lucchi’s Hotel Medea project in Batumi, Georgia.
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Goblet of Fire (Book 4)
Harry Potter e il calice di fuoco was first published in Italy in 2001. The original children’s edition shows Harry’s name emerging from the enchanted Goblet of Fire. Mirroring the brief with earlier books, Harry is shown in shadow.
The 2021 edition shows the Quidditch World Cup stadium and was inspired by De Lucchi’s Expo Icona installation. The stadium was conceived as a travelling structure which could be dismantled and reassembled.
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Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)
Harry Potter e l’Ordine della Fenice was first published in Italy in 2003. The original children’s edition shows Harry and a phoenix. Riglietti completed the artwork before going into hospital to give birth, and instructed the courier to collect the finished artwork from her maternity ward. She connected the idea of the phoenix’s rebirth to becoming a mother.
The 2021 edition shows Hagrid’s Hut, and was inspired by De Lucchi’s Pagliai, a series of haystack-like structures.
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Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)
Harry Potter e il principe mezzosangue was first published in Italy in 2006. The original children’s edition shows Harry beside a red book and within a rune-inscribed Pensieve, the book potentially a nod to Advanced Potion-Making. Riglietti incorporated her name into the runes decorating the Pensieve illustration.
The 2021 edition shows the Astronomy Tower, inspired by Torre Cucchi–De Lucchi, a pavilion installation for the Arch&Art project in the gardens of Milan’s Triennale.
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Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
Harry Potter e i doni della morte was first published in Italy in 2008. The original children’s edition depicts two mysterious departing figures. Riglietti originally wanted the cover to be white with a lone red fingerprint, signifying a farewell. The publisher instead wanted a narrative image, though Riglietti was able to incorporate her farewell theme through the two figures.
The 2021 edition shows the Hogwarts bridge, inspired by De Lucchi’s Bridge of Peace in Tbilisi, Georgia, particularly its sweeping roof.
