Poeti italiani del Novecento

The anthology Poeti italiani del Novecento (Italian Poets of the 20th Century), compiled by Pier Vincenzo Mengaldo, is a significant collection that showcases Italian poetry from the 20th century. This anthology includes poets who were already established before World War II, such as Attilio Bertolucci, Mario Luzi, Giorgio Caproni, Vittorio Sereni, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Franco Fortini, and Roberto Roversi.1

The period after World War II saw a vibrant, though perhaps niche, poetic scene in Italy. Critics and anthologists like Maurizio Cucchi and Stefano Giovanardi have categorized poets into generations, recognizing the influence of older masters on emerging talents. The poetry of this era, influenced by movements like Hermeticism, often featured fragmented utterances, emotional restraint, and a focus on the evocative power of individual words. Poets explored themes ranging from existential and religious concerns to social commentary and introspective realism.12