Un’autodefinizione a due. Montale e la storia di una fotografia

Abstract

The essay interprets a photograph of Irma Brandeis dated 1934, reconstructing its story and clarifying the complicated relationship between Montale and his beloved woman. The photo does not only “self-define” the poet, but also sheds light on his conflicting relationship. Even in the middle of a dramatic romantic crisis, one can recognize the ironic, mutual understanding between the two lovers, depicted through the literary and musical references in the photograph which reveal the hope of the two protagonists that not everything was lost. 

Keywords: Montale, Irma Brandeis, Mozart, irony, mutual understanding.