Absences Register

Italy's foremost art historian, Salvatore Settis, tells his story through a 'registry' of some of the most significant encounters of his life: scholars, artists, writers; masters and friends; celebrities and secluded figures, some now overlooked, who nevertheless knew how to make their mark in their field and contribute to the progress of society.

While eschewing the autobiographical dimension, the book constitutes a very personal account, in which the principles and issues typical of the most committed Settis emerge quite clearly: from university work to the defense of the landscape to the collaboration between knowledge and politics. The Catalog of Absences is a passionate tribute to the very concept of tradition; an expression of faith in the regenerative capacities of memory.

Salvatore Settis, archaeologist and art historian, directed the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles (1994-99) and the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa (1999-2010). He chaired the Consiglio Superiore de Beni Culturali (2007-09) and the Scientific Council of the Louvre (2010-23). His latest books are Incursions. Contemporary Art and Tradition (Feltrinelli 2020) and Raffaello fra gli sterpi (with Giulia Ammannati, Skira 2022). He has curated exhibitions such as I marmi Torlonia(Rome, Musei Capitolini and Milan, Gallerie d'Italia, 2020-22) and Recycling Beauty (Milan, Fondazione Prada, 2022-23).