Dino Buzzati, journalist, writer, painter, poet

Prof. Francesco Carelli

Dino Buzzati (1906 – 1972) was an Italian novelist, short story writer, painter and poet, as well as a journalist for Corriere della Sera. His worldwide fame is mostly due to his novel The Tartar Steppe, although he is also known for his well-received collections of short stories. In 1926 was enrolled in Corriere della Sera where he would remain employed until his death. He began in the editorial department. Later he worked as a reporter, special correspondent, essayist, editor, and art critic. It is often said that his journalistic background informs his writing, lending even the most fantastic tales an aura of realism. He wrote a children’s book, La famosa invasione degli orsi in Sicilia (translated by Frances Lobb into English as The Bears’ Famous Invasion of Sicily).

The Tartar Steppe, his most famous novel, tells the story of a military outpost that awaits a Tartar invasion. In its sentiment and its conclusions, it has been compared to existentialist works, notably Albert Camus’s The Myth of Sisyphus. His writing is sometimes cited as magical realism or social alienation. The fate of the environment and fantasy in the face of unbridled technological progress are recurring themes. His style recall to symbolism, metaphysic painting and surrealism.
Also an acclaimed artist, Buzzati combined his artistic and writing exploits into making a comic book based on the myth of Orpheus, Poem Strip. Commenting on the graphic element, he once explained that “for me, painting and writing are the same thing.” His pictorial works are strongly linked to the atmospheres and situations of his novels and stories.
In 1952, he painted his most famous painting, Piazza del Duomo di Milano, in which the Cathedral is depicted as a Dolomite Mountain with spiers and pinnacles, surrounded green pastures.