Anna Maria Ortese's Visionary Travel Writing Examined

A new critical essay by Luigi Trucillo, published on Doppio Zero, delves into the travel literature of Italian writer Anna Maria Ortese, highlighting her unique approach that blends visionary perception with the genre's empirical tendencies. The essay quotes Ortese's declaration from 'Corpo celeste': 'I believe in everything I do not see, and I believe little in what I see. I believe the earth is inhabited, even now, invisibly. I believe in the spirit of woods, mountains, deserts...' This statement underscores her aesthetic of 'double sight,' a concept borrowed from Giacomo Leopardi's 'Zibaldone,' which extends beyond empirical observation to perceive the invisible as a form of knowing true reality and the inner nature that animates feelings. Trucillo argues that Ortese's engagement with travel writing, a genre inherently focused on recording encounters and mimicry, was particularly courageous given her visionary stance. This challenge between the genre's conventions and her imagination produced one of the most vibrant works of the Roman writer. The essay, titled 'Sotto la lente di Anna Maria Ortese,' was published on August 30, 2026, and is available on Doppio Zero's website. It offers a fresh perspective on Ortese's literary legacy, emphasizing her philosophical depth and the tension between seeing and believing.