The double channel of epistolary writing: the correspondence of Francesco Della Torre

Abstract

The essay explores different aspects relating to the letters of Francesco Della Torre, secretary of the Bishop of Verona Gian Matteo Giberti, with the aim of better clarifying the modalities and peculiarities of his epistolary writing. Particular attention is devoted to Francesco’s letters published in sixteenth-century letter books, in order to investigate the actual degree of involvement of the author in publishing these texts. Even though letter anthologies recommended Della Torre’s works as models of «ben scrivere» and formal elegance, the tone and content of Della Torre’s private letters appear rather different compared to his published correspondence.

Keywords

• Carlo Gualteruzzi, Epistolari, Francesco Della Torre
• Gian Matteo Giberti
• Lettere Volgari, libri di lettere
• Pietro Bembo
• Reti epistolari
• Rinascimento
• Verona
• Vittoria Colonna