Debates on the primacy of the arts between Neoplatonism and classicity.

From Leon Battista Alberti to Bembo e Castiglione in the 16th century

Abstract

With this article we want to show the deep conceptual and philosophical innervation that is established in the sixteenth century between literature and painting, between image and word. The Horatian motto ut pictura poesis constantly returns in the reflection of the various writers who, imbued with figurative art, in a fruitfully creative and artistically stimulating age, often justify their work by resorting to confrontation with the painter and with painting. Of course, this comparison between painted images and poetic language is also at the basis of the Renaissance philosophical culture which makes of Plato, of his dialogues, a fundamental and original moment of reflection.