Giuseppe Ungaretti in Marino: Familial Serenity and Spiritual Conversion

Giuseppe Ungaretti, one of the greatest Italian poets of the 20th century, lived a crucial period of his life in Marino, a picturesque town in the Roman Castles. This stay, from 1926 to 1934, represents a moment of great personal and artistic significance for Ungaretti.

Here, the poet found refuge from economic hardships and an environment that nurtured his creativity and faith. Away from the hustle and bustle of Rome, Marino became a place of peace and inspiration for Ungaretti, allowing him to deeply explore his poetry and spirituality. This article delves into the happy years Ungaretti spent in Marino, highlighting how this period influenced his work and life.

Ungaretti's Residences in Marino

Giuseppe Ungaretti lived in two different homes during his stay in Marino, both representing important moments in his life. The first residence was an apartment at 68 Corso Vittoria Colonna, where he moved with his wife Jeanne Dupoix and daughter Anna Maria, affectionately called Ninon. This centrally located house provided a practical and welcoming base for the poet and his family.

On September 8, 1931, Ungaretti moved to a new residence, a villa at 7 Viale Mazzini, known as Il Ghibellino. This move marked a significant transition in the poet's life, not only due to the change of residence but also for the period of stability and serenity this new home represented.

In Il Ghibellino, Ungaretti found the ideal space to dedicate himself to writing and reflection. Here, he worked on some of his most significant works, including the collection "Sentimento del Tempo."

This residence was not only a personal refuge but also a meeting point for friends and colleagues. Notable figures such as Trilussa and Giovanni Battista Angioletti often visited Ungaretti, creating a lively intellectual exchange. The villa Ghibellino thus became not only a home but also a center of cultural and artistic life, where poetry and friendship found fertile ground.

Family Life

Giuseppe Ungaretti's family life in Marino was characterized by an atmosphere of serenity and affection, contrasting with the economic difficulties that had driven him to leave Rome. His wife Jeanne Dupoix, a French woman, and their children, Anna Maria (affectionately called Ninon) and Antonietto, were at the heart of this happy and productive period. Jeanne, with her reassuring presence and unconditional support, represented a source of stability for Ungaretti, allowing him to focus on his art.

Anna Maria, the eldest daughter, lived the years in Marino with enthusiasm and curiosity, while the second child, Antonietto, was born during this period, on February 9, 1930. The birth of Antonietto was a great joy for the family and for Ungaretti himself, who found in this new arrival further motivation and inspiration for his poetry. Family friend Fernando Vignanelli became Antonietto's godfather, further strengthening the affectionate and spiritual bonds surrounding the poet.

Spiritual Conversion

During his years in Marino, the poet underwent a profound existential crisis that led him to rediscover religious faith, a theme that became central in his subsequent work.

A significant episode in this spiritual journey was Easter 1928, spent at the Sacro Speco of Subiaco. Accompanied by his painter friend Fernando Vignanelli, Ungaretti participated in spiritual exercises and the Easter liturgy at the Benedictine monastery. This event marked a turning point in his life, bringing him to a renewed awareness of the sacred dimension of existence. 

Ungaretti's conversion to faith was not an immediate process but rather a gradual path of reflection and introspection. The poems "La Pietà" (1928) and "La Madre" (1930) testify to this return to religion, expressing his desire for reconciliation with the divine and his search for deeper meaning in life. In these compositions, the figure of the mother assumes a symbolic role, representing the connection to spirituality and divine protection.

Conclusion

The period spent in Marino was a fundamental chapter in Giuseppe Ungaretti's life and artistic career. During these years, the poet found a serenity and stability that allowed him to explore new depths in his poetry and spirituality. The beauty of the Roman Castles, the tranquility of the landscape, and the warmth of the local community provided Ungaretti with the ideal environment for reflection and creativity.

Marino was not just a refuge from economic difficulties and the hustle and bustle of Rome, but it became a place of personal and poetic rebirth. Here, Ungaretti composed some of his most significant works, including the collection "Sentimento del Tempo," which reflects his deep connection with the landscape and culture of the Roman Castles. His conversion to faith, stimulated by the experiences in Marino, added a new dimension to his poetry, infusing his verses with renewed spirituality and a search for existential meaning.