Un idillio dannunziano

The article aims to verify how the modern classic of 19th century Giacomo Leopardi has influenced d’Annunzio, with particular regard to the representation of nature. Traditionally, critical studies on d’Annunzio’s models have not recognised significant traces of ‘leopardismo’ in this author. The analysis of the poem Nox , in Primo vere , shows that the young d’Annunzio knew Leopardi’s works very well like a Cicognini School student had to do. It also proves that leopardian lection of Idylls is present in some d’Annunzio’s descriptions of natural landscapes, like lunar nights and quiet countryside. However, d’Annunzio never gave up his style, which was evident right from his early poetic stage.