Anna Banti

Anna Banti (born Lucia Lopresti; 27 June 1895 – 2 September 1985) was an Italian writer, art historian, critic, and translator.

Life and works

Banti was born in Florence. In her youth she spent time in Rome, attending the University of Rome and Bologna before returning permanently to Florence. At the university, she received a degree in art history. Her pseudonym derived from "an exceptionally beautiful woman" she knew in her youth. She married art critic Roberto Longhi and in 1950 they founded and edited the bi-monthly art magazine Paragone.^[1] She did several stories and works over the next decades, but she would become best known for a historical novel concerning artist Artemisia Gentileschi. One newspaper even headlined their report of Banti's death by saying Addio, Artemisia.^[2] This work revived interest in Artemisia's work and life.^[3]

Banti's autobiographical work, Un Grido Lacerante, was published in 1981 and won the Antonio Feltrinelli Prize.^[4] As well as being a successful author, Banti is recognized as a literary, cinematic, and art critic.^[5] After the death of Longhi in 1970, she replaced him as the editor of Paragone.^[6]

Cimitero degli Allori, Roberto Longhi and Lucia Lopresti (Ana Banti)

Banti died on 2 September 1985 in Massa, and is buried at Cimitero degli Allori in Florence.

Selected filmography

• Yes, Madam (1942)

Awards

• 1972 Bagutta Prize