«La chiave del magazzino»: in margine a Federico Zuccari teorico fra esperienza torinese e suggestioni ambrosiane | «The key of the warehouse»: About Federico Zuccari’s Theory Between Turin and Milan

Abstract

The essay suggests a re-reading of Federico Zuccari’s Idea, the treatise which gathers a reflection developed over thirty years and finds in Turin the most suitable environment for its all-encompassing inspiration. Thinking in terms of the relationship between word and image, the study focuses on certain strategies adopted by Zuccari at particular moments in his career both as a writer and artist and supports the fundamental coherence of Zuccari’s artistic theory. Furthermore, it is argued here how in his treatise Zuccari seems to integrate some typical elements of mystical discourse, such as metaphor and memory. Within this frame, the research follows those studies that explore cultural exchanges between Turin and Milan, with particular reference to the Counter-Reformation culture of Federico Borromeo. Along this line of reasoning, it is also attempted to reveal the circulation of some ‘concepts’ in the poetic field, briefly presenting two cases orbiting around the above-mentioned scope and then returning, at the end, to Turin, with a final focus on the Grande Galleria.