The Attribute Restored: Anna Banti as New Historian, Artist, Woman
Abstract
The study will include a translation of Anna Banti’s (1895-1985)
Corte Savella (1960) as its nucleus, allowing for the development of a
discussion of the style and themes that are consistently found in Banti’s
opus. The translation will reflect a careful approach to bridging the distance
between two histories and two cultures, as well as two languages (English and
Italian). The role of symbolism will also be an integral part of the discussion
of Banti’s works. Given her background in art history and her selection of
Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1652?) as protagonist of both a
play (Corte Savella^ and a novel (Artemisia, 1947), symbolism will be
explored in the worlds of art and of literature. Finally, the feminist issues
manifested in Banti’s approach to historicism are important to an overall
understanding of her oeuvre, particularly in view of Banti’s reluctance to be
labeled a feminist.