Call for papers on the life and work on Corrado Maltese (1921-2001)

The Academy of Fine Arts of Sassari "Mario Sironi" is publishing a book of essays, research and testimony, titled "History of Art, artists, techniques: the method and militancy of Corrado Maltese". A study conference on this subject will be also organized in November 2015.

Corrado Maltese (1921-2001) was one of the most important art historians of the 20th century in Italy. He played a key role as militant critic, in methodological discussion, in the study of the relationships between art and science, art and media, in the debate on the protection of cultural heritage, art techniques and conservation. His intellectual stature expressed through political commitment, support to artists, the organization of research groups and the publication of important studies, including the successful book "Storia dell’arte in Italia 1785-1943" (Einaudi, 1960). Trained in Rome, Maltese worked for the "Soprintendenza al patrimonio storico e artistico" and taught at the University of Cagliari from 1957 to 1969 (he was also Dean of the Faculty of Humanities), he then moved to the University of Genoa and eventually, to the University "La Sapienza" of Rome. Maltese's arrival in Sardinia brought a breath of fresh air to the studies with its internationally oriented scientific approach and high methodological profile; at the same time, by supporting the most advanced avant-garde forms, Maltese brought the contemporary art debate back to an Italian and international level.

The project is open to the contribution of scholars and professors, graduate students and young researchers who have carried out or have ongoing researches on Corrado Maltese, or whose studies focus on deepening the knowledge and developing his topics and methodology. Memories and testimonies of students, artists he supported, or who have collaborated on cultural heritage and conservation projects he directed are also welcome. Contributions on unreleased or poorly known aspects of Maltese's work will be evaluated with special attention, as well as archival material documents and correspondence researches, or researches approaching his studies through original perspectives and new tools of investigation.

We invite all those who are interested in proposing a text for the book to send a short abstract (2500 characters max., spaces included) to convegno.malteseaccademiasironi.it; the deadline for the submission is 30 April 2015. The abstract must be accompanied by a brief CV (4000 characters max.) including contact information (phone, e-mail and postal address) as well as the consent to use data for the purpose of the scientific organization of the book. Acceptance of the proposal will be sent by e-mail after careful consideration of the scientific committee within 60 days from the submission deadline.

The Director
Antonio Bisaccia

The scientific organization Committe
Luigi Agus, Giorgio Auneddu Mossa, Claudio Gamba