Libero De Libero
Libero De Libero was an Italian poet and writer born on September 10, 1906, in Fondi, Italy. He grew up in a large family and was influenced by his early life experiences, many of which became the foundation for his literary work. After moving to Rome in 1927 to study law, he became immersed in the city's vibrant artistic community, initially working as an art critic and later transitioning into fiction writing. De Libero published his first poetry collection in 1934, followed by another in 1937, featuring themes of love, nature, and personal memories.
His early poetry is characterized by a hermetic style, reflecting deep emotional experiences and a connection with nature. However, in the late 1940s, his work began to shift towards nationalism and personification. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he continued to produce poetry and prose, receiving the Vann'Antò Award in 1968 for his collection "Madrigali." Although De Libero is primarily recognized for his poetry, he also authored novels and short stories that reflect his unique stylistic approach. He passed away on July 4, 1981, leaving behind a substantial literary legacy.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Libero De Libero
Writer
- Born: September 10, 1906
- Birthplace: Fondi, Italy
- Died: July 4, 1981
- Place of death:
Biography
Libero De Libero was born on September 10, 1906, in Fondi, Italy, the son of Francesco De Libero and Cesira Faiola De Libero. He later said that his childhood and early education contributed to his writing, and many of his poems and novels were based upon his memories of the past. He grew up in a large family, studied in Ferento and Alatri, and moved to Rome in 1927 to study law. He was fascinated by the stimulating atmosphere of Rome, according to biographer Romana Capek-Habekovic, and joined the literati and artists, initially as an art critic and art exhibit organizer and later as a short-story writer. De Libero’s work was published in Documento, Letteratura, Fiera Letteraria,Italia Letteraria, and Quaderni di Novissima.
De Libero, a developing hermetic poet, published his first collection of poetry in 1934, followed by another volume in 1937. The poems in these early volumes contain biographical details and deal with themes of love and nature. In Capek-Habekovic’s words, De Libero’s poetry delves into “the past, into memories, absences, and lost loves,” and his writing expresses the “hedonistic merging with a nature that understands and consoles.” However, in the mid- and late- 1940’s, De Libero’s poetry appeared to be moving away from the hermetic tradition of the 1930’s, containing expressions of nationalism and personification.
Throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s, De Libero continued to write poetry, publishing additional collections and numerous pieces in literary magazines. Madrigali, a group of eight poems published in a Belgian journal, Origine, earned De Libero the Università di Messina’s Vann’Antò Award in 1968. Although he is best known for his poetry, De Libero also wrote several novels and short stories, incorporating his distinctive poetic style and experiences from his life in his prose. He died on July 4, 1981.