Writing Architecture in Modern Italy: Narratives, Historiography, and Myths

Writing Architecture in Modern Italy explores the history of an intellectual group connected to the Italian Einaudi publishing house between the 1930s and 1950s, focusing on a diverse group of individuals including Bruno Zevi, Giulio Carlo Argan, Italo Calvino, Giulio Einaudi, Elio Vittorini, and Cesare Pavese. It proposes four different methods of writing history and identifies four writing genres: myths, chronicles, history, and fiction.

Format: Hardback
Length: 150 pages
Publication date: 02 October 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Between the 1930s and the 1950s, a group of intellectuals associated with the Italian Einaudi publishing house came together to shape the course of architectural history in Italy. This captivating book, titled "Writing Architecture in Modern Italy," delves into the rich tapestry of their collective efforts, focusing on a diverse array of individuals who left an indelible mark on the field. Among these remarkable figures were Bruno Zevi, an architectural historian and politician; Giulio Carlo Argan, an art historian; Italo Calvino, a celebrated fiction writer; Giulio Einaudi, the publisher behind the Einaudi publishing house; and Elio Vittorini and Cesare Pavese, both accomplished writers and translators.

By seamlessly intertwining architectural history and historiography within a broader framework of ideas, this book offers a groundbreaking approach to writing history. It presents four distinct methods for crafting historical narratives, delineating historiographical genres, modes, and tones that can be applied to historical writing to analyze and interpret political and social moments in time. These four writing genres—myths, chronicles, history, and fiction—emerged as widely accepted forms of postmodern historical storytelling after 1957.

"Writing Architecture in Modern Italy" constitutes a significant contribution to the architectural discourse, appealing to a wide range of interests, including architectural history, history of ideas, and architectural education. Through its meticulous exploration of the intellectual milieu and the creative processes that shaped architectural discourse during this pivotal period, this book provides a profound understanding of the complex interplay between architecture, society, and the broader cultural landscape. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike, offering a fresh perspective on the rich heritage of Italian architecture and its profound impact on the world.

Weight: 452g
Dimension: 221 x 321 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367431112