Salvatore I. Camporeale ((VIT'77-'03), beloved member of this community, died 17 December 2002 of a heart attack on his way home to S. Maria Novella after a normal day at Tatti. He was born in 1928 in Molfetta (Bari). His learning was grounded in the Dominican’s traditional, long, and exacting education. Shortly after WWII he was sent to St. Albert’s College in Oakland, CA, where he received his BA in 1950. He was ordained in St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco. He returned to Italy to pursue his doctorate in theology (Angelicum University, Rome, 1961) and his laurea (1970) and Diploma di Perfezionamento (1974), both in Filosofia, at the University of Florence where he undertook his seminal work on Lorenzo Valla under Eugenio Garin. He belonged to the Dominican community in Pistoia from 1955 to 1977 when he moved to the convent at S. Maria Novella in Florence. Despite never receiving a university appointment in Italy, Camporeale held annual visiting professorships at Johns Hopkins University for many years, taught at the University of California at Berkeley, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Tel Aviv University, and lectured in numerous universities and academic institutions across the United States, in England, and in Italy.

Salvatore Camporeale’s publications include Lorenzo Valla: Umanesimo, Riforma e Controriforma, studi e testi, (Roma: Edizioni di Storia e Letteratura, 2002), Lorenzo Valla: umanesimo e teologia (Firenze: Istituto Nazionale di Studi sul Rinascimento, 1972), and numerous articles, including ten in Memorie Domenicane. He was a founding editor of both the new series of the journal Memorie Domenicane (1970-2002) and I Tatti Studies: Essays in the Renaissance (1986-2002) and was on the editorial board of Vita Sociale from 1965 to 1977.

Camporeale was appointed one of I Tatti’s first Research Associates in 1976. In 1977, he was appointed Bibliographer in the Biblioteca Berenson and he remained on the library’s Acquisitions Committee ever since. Between 1980 and 1986 he was a member of the

I Tatti Advisory Committee, the group of senior scholars which chooses the Fellows each year. He was learned in so many fields that there are few people at ITatti, scholars, staff, or visitors, who didn’t find themselves and their work changed by their conversations with him.

FIRST MESSAGE SENT BY JOE CONNORS TO I TATTI STAFF AND CURRENT AND FORMER APPOINTEES

Here at I Tatti we only received the news late yesterday evening, but it’s my sad task to tell you that Salvatore Camporeale died yesterday afternoon, of a heart attack, on returning to his home in S. Maria Novella. He had been feeling somewhat ill yesterday morning while walking from the bus stop to I Tatti, with pressure in his chest, and so took a taxi the rest of the way to the villa. He felt better during the day and at lunch with Father Timothy Verdon and the Fellows seemed in fine form, spirited and witty as ever. He drove back with Alexa at about 5.30, saying, as though in a premonition, that he was happy since he had done what he wanted to do in life, namely study, that a number of his writings were being republished now, and that he was working on a few remaining things. This was his last conversation. His doctor was supposed to come and see him at S. Maria Novella at seven, but he was stricken around six on entering the convent. Resuscitation efforts were fruitless, though the emergency medical team tried them.

The funeral will be held at S. Maria Novella at 10.00 a.m. on Friday December 20^th.

Salvatore, or Campo as many knew him, first came to I Tatti in the time of Myron Gilmore;

Fiorella remembers seeing him for the first and only time in his Dominican robes then. He was made a Research Associate by Craig Smyth and had been a steady presence at

I Tatti for at least thirty years. He was learned in so many fields that there were few Fellows who didn’t find themselves and their work changed by him. Johns Hopkins celebrated his achievement with a symposium last spring, and I Tatti hosted a study day in his honor on 12 September. A gentle Socrates, he taught by conversation as well as by his love for the texts of humanism. A big part of I Tatti has gone with him.

Joseph Connors

Director

18 Dec 2002

SECOND MESSAGE SENT BY JOE CONNORS TO I TATTI STAFF AND CURRENT AND FORMER APPOINTEES

The reaction to Salvatore Camporeale’s sudden death on December 17 has been very moving for all of us here at Villa I Tatti. In gestures of quick and spontaneous generosity, both a former Fellow and a member of the I Tatti Council made large contributions for an endowed book fund to be set up in Salvatore’s name, to which gifts can be added by anyone at any time. The income has been designated for books in the general fields of Renaissance humanism and religion. The library will try to co-ordinate purchases with what we think of as Salvatore’s interests. With Salvatore as a very vocal member of the acquisitions committee we were not allowed to give up a potential purchase in humanism lightly, but now we will be doubly sure not to miss any.

Secondly, some Fellows had time to jot down some of their memories of Salvatore, and these, together with the funeral eulogy of Padre Giovanni Monti, provincial of the Italian Dominicans, will be assembled and kept ready here for anyone who wants to read them. But if anyone wants to take more time and assemble their memories, I will gladly put them in the collection. Thanks to the recent publication of his early Valla essays by Edizioni di Storia e Letteratura, the core of Salvatore’s scholarly work is now freshly available. But he gave so much of himself in conversation and friendship, which lasts only as long as the memories of friends last. So I thought it would be fitting to preserve some of these memories here, if you care to send them in.

B.B. wanted to haunt the library, but these bookplates always remind me, whenever I come across one in browsing, that the I Tatti library is haunted by many friendly ghosts who wink at me when they catch me reading a book not in my field but in theirs. Et in Arcadia ego they seem to say: they too lived in Arcady.

With all good wishes,

Joe Connors

Director

2 April 2003

Carissimi confratelli, fratello e nipote del P. Ignazio, amici di S. Maria Novella e amici del P. Ignazio Camporeale.

L'altro giorno, al termine di una giornata lavorativa, davanti alla porta del suo convento, cessava la sua vita terrena il P. Salvatore Ignazio Camporeale. Questa volta la 'sua casa' non si è aperta, i suoi ultimi respiri si sono persi davanti alla facciata e ai piedi del campanile della basilica di S. Maria Novella. Possiamo dire che, anche nella morte, il P. Ignazio ha voluto vivere la sua apertura d'animo, la sua libertà, la sua universalità, ma nello stesso tempo non ha voluto essere di ingombro o di peso agli altri: morire solo, circondato dalle bellezze dell'arte, sotto lo sguardo paterno di Dio.

Nel salmo responsoriale abbiamo pregato: "Una cosa ho chiesto al Signore, questa sola io cerco: "Abitare nella casa del Signore tutti i giorni della mia vita".

In una lettera inviata al p. provinciale, datata 10 agosto 1949, scriveva: "II 18 settembre compirò i miei vent'anni e il 19 dovrò fare la mia professione solenne. Dal noviziato sino ad ora ho sempre pensato alla mia professione solenne: ho avuto dei dubbi; qualche volta piuttosto seri; ho pregato; e, dopo tutto, ho deciso che è "cosa buona" (il suo pieno valore e significato non lo posso comprendere in questa vita) darsi al Signore "sino alla morte". Lei ed i miei confratelli mi diranno e mi mostreranno se sarò degno di questo dono da parte del Signore".

Credo che le parti si siano invertite e che è lo stesso P. Ignazio a mostrare a noi suoi confratelli che è stato degno della chiamata del Signore, che è restato fedele agli impegni presi con la professione e che ha vissuto nella Sua casa fino all'ultimo istante della sua vita per concludere con questa liturgia funebre la sua vita terrena di religioso domenicano e di sacerdote, qui nella casa del Signore. E non dobbiamo essere noi uomini a sindacare sulla dignità di un essere umano di fronte al dono divino, ma è Dio stesso al termine della vita umana.

E' evidente che i dubbi, prima di una decisione importante e fondamentale, fanno parte dell'umanità dell'individuo, ma il credente, il religioso devono superare questa difficoltà umana con l'abbandono al Signore perché, riprendendo sempre le parole del salmista,: "II Signore è difesa della mia vita...".

Salvatore Camporeale, come abbiamo ascoltato, è nato il 18 settembre 1928 a Molfetta (BA), e mi legava a lui la coincidenza di essere nati lo stesso mese e lo stesso giorno, pur in anni differenti, anche se anagraficamente risulta nato il 7 ottobre. Entrato nell'Ordine Domenicano emette la prima professione il 14/11/1945 e viene ordinato sacerdote il 24 gennaio 1953. Muore a Firenze il 17 dicembre 2002. Questa in brevissima sintesi la sua storia umana, ma le varie date non possono dirci del suo rapporto sia spirituale che culturale con i confratelli e con le persone con le quali veniva a contatto. Aveva iniziato dal periodo della sua formazione religiosa negli Stati Uniti d'America, dove era stato inviato dai superiori appena terminata la guerra e tale nazione, oltre l'Italia, ha beneficato fino alla fine del frutto della sua grande intelligenza speculativa, legata, a momenti di una semplicità serafica. Le sue lezioni sia negli studi dell'Ordine che nelle varie università erano sempre apprezzate e stimate anche se, qualche volta, sono state per lui anche frutto di amarezze.

Come non ricordare i suoi studi sul Valla, le sue lezioni nell'università americana di Harvard, il suo impegno presso Villa I Tatti, che possiamo dire sia stato il suo secondo convento.

Ecco la testimonianza di un suo confratello di questa comunità fiorentina:

"Da Villa I Tatti al convento, e viceversa, quotidianamente. Quasi il percorso intellettuale ed evangelico d'Ignazio. Rigorosa ricerca storica e filologica (Lorenzo Valla, Umanesimo e teologica, Firenze 1972; Lorenzo Valla. Umanesimo, Riforma e Controriforma. Studi e Testi, Roma 2002).

Senz'ombra d'intenti strumentali. Da Villa I Tatti ad Harvard University alla John Hopkins alla Teli Aviv Univ., attraverso molteplici centri culturali e contatti personali, la rilettura di fasi cruciali della storia culturale del Quattro e Cinquecento fa la sua strada con audace sorpresa e compiaciuto consenso. Fede e società, parola di Dio e presenza nel mondo, evangelismo e laicità, senza concessioni e senza scarti ad entrambi i poli, sono i luoghi consueti del mondo interiore e mentale d'Ignazio. E della sua proposta apostolica di domenicano".

Gesù nel brano del Vangelo ci invita a non essere turbati, tristi, spaventati. E' chiaro che avvenimenti come quello legato alla morte improvvisa del P. Ignazio non ci possono lasciare indifferenti e ci pongono una serie di perché, ma mi piace, ora mettere sulle labbra del P. Ignazio, quasi come suo testamento, quelle stesse parole di Gesù: Non sia turbato il vostro cuore. Perché? "Perché vado a prepararvi un posto".

Come religioso domenicano e come sacerdote ha insegnato, anche a me, che sono stato suo discepolo, la Via che conduce a questo posto. E ora, che osiamo sperare lui l'abbia raggiunto, ci insegni anche ad accettare la volontà di Dio che su questa terra non è sempre gloria e gioia ma spesso amarezza, dolore e tristezza. E infine, come nostro ultimo atto di testimonianza d'affetto, come segno di gratitudine e di riconoscenza, possiamo dirgli: Ignazio, sei stato degno della professione religiosa che facesti e vi sei restato fedele ..."sino alla morte"... Grazie.

P. Giovanni Monti

H P. Priore Provinciale

Provincia Romana di S Caterina da Siena

Jan 2003

MESSAGES RECEIVED

Thank you for forwarding the message about Campo's death. Please convey my condolences to everyone at I Tatti who knew and loved him. We'll all miss him terribly. He was a great scholar, humanist and socialist. I wish I could come to Florence for his funeral to honour him properly.

Best,

Lawrin Armstrong (VIT’00)

University of Toronto

19 Dec 2002

I'll be there Friday, thank you for message. Peggy had told me, and I have told others who knew the living culture of his conversation about this loss to the community.

Rolf Bagemihl (VIT’98)

Pepperdine University, Florence

19 Dec 2002

What sad and unexpected news! Campo seemed so eternally youthful, so full of vigor physical and intellectual, so generous, so quick to laughter. He was such a cherished presence during my fellowship year in 1996-97. Does he have family to whom one may write?

I join the large I Tatti community in mourning him,

Carmen C. Bambach (VIT’97)

The Metropolitan Musuem of Art

18 Dec 2002

I am almost speechless. as soon as I saw "file: Camporeale"" I was afraid I knew why. When I was there we talked about his health and there was almost an intimation of what was to come, sooner than one expected. Few people have meant so much to me as Campo. We are deeply saddened.

Paul Barolsky (VIT’81,87,91,95)

University of Virginia

18 Dec 2002

Around Christmas I sent a note by snail mail that I rather suspect disappeared into the Yule post or is languishing in a mail sack in cagli, but I do want to tell you that I thought your brief words on Campo when you made the sad announcement were especially sensitive and true to the wonderful man we all loved. Apropos your characterization of him as a gentle socrates (and he also had a socratic sense of humor, I see him in my mind's eye, turning beet red with mirth) I think that had he never published a word, his influence would still be huge: upon all of the Fellows with whom he talked into the afternoon and evening about so many things for so many years. As I told him in April, my talk there on the creation of Adam was but a footnote to some of those conversations. I still cannot imagine that he is gone; I still cannot imagine I Tatti without him. He was more than very special.

Best wishes,

Paul Barolsky (VIT’81,87,91,95)

University of Virginia

3 Feb 2003

I am so grief-stricken to hear of Salvatore's death. Is there a fund to which Fellows might contribute -- for a book-fund in his name, perhaps? Please let me know.

My regards to everyone.

All the best for now,

Karen Barzman (VIT’91)

Binghamton University

19 Dec 2002

Thank you for passing on this sad news. What a loss for I Tatti. Happy Christmas to all.

Meg Bent (VIT’01)

All Souls College

18 Dec 2002

With great sorrow we have received the sad news about the death of professor Salvatore Camporeale O:P:

Professor Camporeale was a great scholar as well as a generous and fine person. His death will be a great loss for all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Please accept our condolences.

Yours sincerely,

Henrick Von Achen – Professor Dr., head of CHC

Henning Laugerud – Research Fellow – Dept. of Culturale studies and Art History, University of Bergen

8 Jan 2003

Le mie sentite condoglianze a tutta la comunità de I Tatti, che più di ogni altra sentirà la mancanza di Campo, della sua intelligenza e del suo spirito. Un abbraccio a tutti.

Lucia Bertolini (VIT’91)

Università degli Studi di Chieti

20 Dec 2002

I'm sitting here crying at my computer over the news of Salvatore's death. Whether you always agreed with him or not, it was impossible not to admire Salvatore's intellectual energy, his commitment to the life of the mind and to promoting that life at I Tatti. I am thinking of coming to Florence in January and was looking forward to seeing him. I Tatti won't be quite the same, but it is surely richer for his love.

Please put a rose, a single white rose, on Salvatore's grave for me. I'll give the money to Amanda.

Best wishes to you all in the office at I Tatti,

Jane Bestor (VIT’99)

Harvard University

18 Dec 2002

Ti ringrazio per avermi partecipato questa triste notizia.

Porgo le mie sentite condoglianze

Roberto Bizzocchi (VIT’90)

Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa

19 Dec 2002

Thank you for the message. I am very sorry indeed to hear of the sudden death of Salvatore Camporeale; please give my sincerest condolences to all his friends at I Tatti.

Robert Black (VIT’93)

University of Leeds

19 Dec 2002

Ho saputo della morte di Salvatore mentre ero a Venezia, per cui non mi è stato possibile partecipare al funerale. E’ una notizia che mi riempie di tristezza, ma nello stesso tempo non posso fare a meno di pensare che è stata una morte serena, arrivata davvero al compimento dell’opera. Dopo le vacanze, farò di tutto per venire ai Tatti, di cui sento nostalgia. E spero così che avremo anche l’occasione di incontrarci. Intanto vi mando i miei più cari saluti e auguri.

Lina Bolzoni (VIT’97-’03)

Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa

22 Dec 2002

Thank you for spreading the sad news around. Whenever death strikes so suddenly so many thoughts rush into one's mind...I'm leaving for Turin, where I am giving my last lessons (as of the half of January I shall be teaching in Florence), therefore I'm not able to attend Campo's funerals. I'll be happy and honoured as soon as I can to come and introduce myself to you. Our Christmas will not be as merry as we were expecting...

Best wishes,

Giorgio Bonsanti (VIT’83)

Università di Torino

18 Dec 2002

I was a Fellow in 1981-82, and conversations with Campo are among my happiest memories. I'm an Episcopalian, and once tried to get him into some doctrinal argument or other, which he refused, saying "Christianity is about loving God and loving your neighbour; nothing else matters." I was then at the U. of Illinois, and invited him to come and give a talk, which he did and wowed everybody (no idea what year that was). I was present when he baptised Piero Morselli's baby in the Baptistry - a red letter day! and saw him a couple of times more recently. I shall miss him very much.

Barbara C. Bowen (VIT’82)

Vanderbilt University

18 Dec 2002

This is indeed sad news. We all have lost a dear friend and a great scholar. Everything went so fast. He is the second Dominican friend in a week’s time. The good Lord knows best what is good for them and that is the most important.

We thank you very much to have sent the notice. We could forward it also to sisters in Germany through whom we got to know him. Hopefully everything goes well in I Tatti. We wish you and all your colleagues a joyous Christmas and a happy and peaceful New Year.

Kindest regards,

H Hubert and Aldegonde Brenninkmeijers

18 Dec 2002

Many thanks for the message. Campo will be much missed at I Tatti - my sympathy and condolences to you all,

Alison Brown (VIT’86,’91,’98)

Royal Holloway, University of London

20 Dec 2002

I was very sad to receive the news of the death of Salvatore Camporeale. He was a real intellectual -- learned, open-minded, enthusiastic about new ideas -- and a truly gentle and warm human being. He will be sorely missed in all the communities he touched, both in Italy and in America.

I will mourn his absence and celebrate the memories I have of him. Please extend my condolences to everyone at I Tatti.

Judith C. Brown (VIT’78)

Wesleyan University

18 Dec 2002

In the dedication of his last book, Umanesimo, Riforma e Controriforma, Salvatore quoted the following lines from Rilke:

Sie war in sich, wie Eine hoher Hoffnung,…

Sie war in sich. Und ihr Gestorbensein

erfűllte sie wie Fűlle

These lines could well have been his own epitaph, for many who knew him, even close friends in the I Tatti community over the many years he worked and studied there, only fully realized the magnitude of his presence once he was gone. Not surprisingly he remained intensely loyal to I Tatti throughout his tenure as Research Associate, for Harvard had given him a treasured place to study, to serve and to engage other scholars from around the world in socratic dialogue.

Earlier in his career, Salvatore had felt under-appreciated for his scholarship, and he never received the Italian university appointment he richly deserved. Fortunately in his later years this lacuna was filled by his annual visiting professorship at Johns Hopkins and the numerous invitations to teach and lecture at other American universities. A year ago, he gave a seminar in Tel Aviv, fulfilling a lifelong ambition to visit Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

I remember meeting Salvatore at lunch back in 1980 at the beginning of my I Tatti fellowship year, but I only really got to know him subsequently in conversation standing next to Berenson's books on Jung and the I Ching in the upstairs hall where the fellows' studies used to be. As I remember, we were discussing among other things the pros and cons of an early Berenson idea of making I Tatti into a center for Mediterranean, not just Renaissance studies. This was the first of many subsequent conversations that epitomized for me Salvatore's intellectual openness and delight in a good discussion. That year he was also holding an informal weekend seminar at Santa Maria Novella for a group of friends, many gathered from his years in Pistoia. I began attending the seminar and was surprised the first time when he greeted us at the door of the convent in his white Dominican habit, attire to which I was unaccustomed, since during the week he always dressed in borghese at the Villa. I have a particularly vivid recollection of one of the seminar group, a paraplegic with a captivating smile who seemed to drink in the seminar proceedings with his whole being. Salvatore's teaching method, then as always, was to proceed by commenting on a text, in this case the Phaedo. We had barely gotten to Socrates' dream when the animated discussion veered away from Plato's text, and and soon Marx and Gramsci entered the scene.

Seeing Salvatore in his Dominican attire was a reminder that he lived in two seemingly different worlds, one religious, one secular, yet for him the two worlds were indivisible. Historically the mission of the Dominican Order had been to preach, but Salvatore interpreted his vocation in more contemporary terms, namely to study and to teach. He lived his calling fino in fondo, studying and writing and always making himself available to others, eager to meet them on the open frontier of ideas. His special fondness for Americans dated back to the post World War II years when he had been an unheralded gift of the Italian Dominicans to St. Albert's College in Oakland, California. Subsequently Salvatore received ordination spread-eagled, face down on the floor of old St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco. Intellectually he preferred the Old World with its long legacy of philosophical discourse to the New, and after completing seminary in California, he returned to Italy to pursue his doctorate in theology and later his degree in lettere at the University of Florence where he undertook his seminal work on Lorenzo Valla under Eugenio Garin..

Salvatore's life always remained a difficult balancing act,--how to be in the church while at the same time remonstrating against some of its practices. Salvatore followed in the footsteps of his intellectual hero, Valla, whose own courageous challenge to the imperial papacy in the fifteenth century through a philological critique of the pseudo Donation of Constantine had brought him posthumous fame, but during his lifetime only retribution and poverty, the heavy price for speaking one's conscience. Salvatore could be equally tough on the pretensions and hypocrisy in academia, but even those who felt the prick of his clear-eyed critique, never doubted the sincerity and integrity behind it. Salvatore was also understanding of human nature, generous at heart and a very kind and forgiving soul. He had an infectious sense of humor and he loved a good joke almost as much as a rousing argument about Italian politics. I can see him now regaling my young son with the old carabinieri jokes that seemed just as hilarious in English as long as Salvatore was doing the telling.

Salvatore loved the stars in the heavens and used to talk about them as guiding lights, the same points of reference by which the Pugliese fishermen in his family had navigated for generations. The starry heavens were perhaps Salvatore's metaphor for the vast intellectual horizons he sought to bring within his mind's grasp. Other times he referred to living his life always on the edge, as though balanced on the rim of the world. I can picture him now, arms outstretched and open, walking along a bit precariously, all the while laughing and eager to meet the next challenge. The words he wrote me in consolation at the death of my father several years ago seem appropriate to share with all those who knew and cherished and miss our dear friend Salvatore:

"Ma è proprio nell'amore ed affetto di chi è stato parte integrante ed intima di noi stessi che permane la continuitaà del rapporto con la persona che si è amato e si ama tuttora, che permane la continuità di quel legame di vita che neanche la morte può rompere."

Melissa Meriam Bullard (VIT’81)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

June 2003

I was extremely sad to hear the news about Campo. Like so many former fellows, I think back on my conversations with Salvatore as one of the highlights of my stay. It is a measure of this wonderfully intellectually gifted man that he would talk to me for hours about a field, my field, economic history, which was not his own. And of course Campo would school me on the Marxist interpretation, with an ironic grin on his lips. This was a very special man, and I will, like the rest of the community, miss him greatly. I really liked Joseph's Connor's formulation-- "a gentle Socrates."

Sincerely,

William Caferro (VIT’99)

Vanderbilt University

18 Dec 2002

Morto il filosofo che parlava alla gente –

La Nazione

Ecco righe che si vorrebbe non dovere mai scrivere. Ogni tanto succede che un vecchio amico ci lasci: è normale, la vita è fatta cosi. Eppure, si resta sempre attoniti, si è sempre impreparati a queste cose, ci si accorge di essere sempre presi contropiede. Salvatore Camporeale non è più in quella Firenze che era la sua città adottiva. Pugliese di nascita, ci era arrivato molti anni fa e si era dedicato immediatamente allo studio del suo prediletto umanesimo, quel grande Quattrocento fiorentino. Pugliese di nascita, figlio di un’emigrato che era sempre rimasto affezionatissimo alla sua patria, Salvatore era entrato nell’ordine domenicano. E come tale ha avuto per lunghi anni il privilegio di risiedere nello splendido convento fiorentino di Santa Maria Novella, quello dove hanno lavorato Masaccio, il Brunelleschi, l’Alberti e Paolo Uccello. Era fortunato, Salvatore. Poteva alternare, quando stava a Firenze, la sua residenza convettuale nel bel edificio domenicano a lunghi periodi di permanenza e di studio presso il castello di Vincigliata: in quella villa "I Tatti". Si tratta della villa che era già stata di Bernard Berenson. Oggi, "I Tatti" sono da molto tempo sede fiorentina della prestigiosa università di Boston, la Harvard University. A tale università è di fatti affiliata la fondazione Berenson, nell’ambito della quale il padre Camporeale ha lavorato per molti anni. Ho vissuto per cinque anni, dal 1995 al 2000, a due passi da Santa Maria Novella: ho visto restaurare il bell’affresco di Filippino Lippi nella cappella Strozzi, ho preso quasi tutte le domeniche la messa nella splendida chiesa brunelleschiana, ne ho seguito passo passo i lunghi restauri e ho avuto molto spesso il piacere di ascoltare il Vangelo splendidamente spiegato da Salvatore Camporeale. Questa unione di semplicità sacerdotale e cristiana e di altissima cultura, condita con un umorismo sempre fine e affettuoso, era tipica di Salvatore. Ricordo alcuni viaggi con lui e soprattutto molte belle conversazione, quando a mia volta avevo la fortuna di frequentare più spesso di quando oggi non mi succeda la bella biblioteca Berenson sulle pendici della collina di Fiesole. Salvatore Camporeale era anche un cittadino appassionato della vita del paese, un uomo impegnato in politica. Lo era naturalmente quanto può esserlo un religioso: sempre con molta misura e spirito di carità, ma anche con grande energia e coraggio. A lungo aveva militato nel gruppo anima dal quale era Franco Rodano. Salvatore condivideva con passione gli ideali di quel gruppo che per molti anni si definì "Cristiani per Socialismo". Insieme ad altri laici e religiosi fiorentini, Salvatore apparteneva dunque a quei "Cattolici di sinistra" che molto spesso erano oggetto di ironia ma che hanno tanto profondamente segnato la vita politica, culturale e anche sociale della nostra città.

Franco Cardini (VIT’77)

Università di Firenze

20 Dec 2002

Sono rimasto anch'io molto colpito dalla inattesa notizia della scomparsa di Salvatore Camporeale. In effetti le conversazioni con lui restano uno dei ricordi piu vivi del mio soggiorno a Villa I Tatti. Partecipo con sentimenti di dolore e di amicizia insieme al lutto della comunità.

Giorgio Chittolini (VIT’81)

Università di Milano

20 Dec 2002

This is very sad news for me.

Sam Cohn (VIT’89,94)

University of Glasgow

18 Dec 2002

Ho letto di Campo e nell'impossibilità di abbracciare te e tutti gli amici ti invio un abbraccio forte per sentirci tutti vicini.

Ci mancherà perché è stato un grande e caro pezzo di vita di tutti noi.

Laura Corti (VIT’84-’03)

Istituto Universitario di Archittetura, Venezia

18 Dec 2002

Thank you very much for sending me the news of Salvatore Camporeale's sudden and unexpected death. I knew him, of course, though my work did not put me in close contact with him. I know I shall miss him when I return again to I Tatti on later visits, and at this time I offer sincere condolences to the staff, faculty, and scholars frequenting I Tatti.

With thanks for the prompt message and warmest regards for the coming holidays,

Dario Covi (VIT’65)

University of Louisville

20 Dec 2002

I heard the very sad news of Campo yesterday from Caroline who had heard it from Walter. We passed the news to Charles, to Michael Fried and Nancy Struever in Baltimore, and to Walter Stephens, who turns out to be in Florence. Just this chain of conversations made me remember how many worlds and lives Salvatore inhabited. And we only knew a small part of what went on in his brilliant and complex mind.

Going home to die at Santa Maria Novella was right, of course. Charles and I are thinking of all of you there, and wish very much we could be at the funeral. I just talked to Craig, forever the optimist, who told me how much he had been comforted by Alexa's description of her last conversation with Campo. We will all remember him. I expect I Tatti will think of some way to honor that memory and will let us all know how to help.

Elizabeth Cropper (VIT’79)

National Gallery of Art

18 Dec 2002

Alla grande Famiglia de I Tatti, di cui sento fortemente di far parte, anche se non partecipo (e ancora per qualche tempo temo che non parteciperò) agli eventi e agli incontri per mancanza asssoluta di tempo, esprimo tutto il mio profondo dolore per la notizia della morte di p. Salvatore Camporeale. E’ una grande perdita sia come studioso sia come uomo.

Non so se potrò essere presente al funeral, perchè sarò a Careggi ad assistere mio marito e perchè sarò successivamente in seduta di tesi. Sarò presente sicuramente col cuore e con la preghiera.

Maria Grazia Ciardi Dupré Dal Poggetto (VIT’72)

Università di Firenze

19 Dec 2002

Still saddened by the death of Campo - we too, loved and admired him.

In friendship,

Teri and Hubert Damisch (VIT’95,’99)

Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales

17 Jan 2003

Like so many others, Renee and I were much saddened by the news of Salvatore Camporeale's passing. I got to know Salvatore quite well during my fellowship year in 1996-97, and we had been friendly ever since. Last summer I corresponded with him about my current book project, about sense perception in Renaissance culture (on which I'm working this year at the American Academy). We agreed that we would see each other in the course of the year to talk about it. As it turned out, sadly, this was not to be. One line from his last e-mail to me, of 24 August 2002, still sticks in my mind: reminding me of his new e-mail address, Salvatore wrote:

"Questo sara' il mio (unico) indirizzo da usarsi da ora in poi ovunque io sia ... sul globo terrestre!" I'm really sorry I cannot use his e-mail address anymore.

With all good wishes,

Wietse de Boer (VIT’97)

Indiana University

9 Apr 2003

Vorrei Le giungessero al più presto due parole per ringraziarla delle iniziative prese in memoria di Salvatore Camporeale -- delle quali ero in parte già informato -- ma soprattutto della lettera che ha spedito qualche giorno or sono alla comunità dei tattiani. Un tributo forte, e insieme discreto, che riassume bene ciò che Salvatore è stato per tanti che lo hanno ben conosciuto: una presenza, più che un monumento.

Salvatore, padre Ignazio, Scampo, mi ha onorato della sua amicizia, paterna, fraterna, collegiale per molti anni. Mi mancano le sue argomentazioni, quasi sempre di segno diverso dalle mie, su qualsiasi cosa capitasse: dalla politica ai computer, dalla vita accademica alla pizza napoletana.

Abbiamo condiviso parte delle nostre passioni da pari a pari, ma il bilancio dei ricavi è tutto dalla mia parte: attendevo con ansia il giorno in cui avrei potuto ricambiare i benefici che ho ricevuto. Egli non solo ha saputo illuminarmi della sua maestrìa nella retorica, nella filologia, nella teologia, nello studio degli Umanisti, ma grazie al suo stimolo ho letto più a fondo nei miei trattati, nei miei cantori, nelle mie notarelle bianche e nere.

Com'era nelle cose, il giorno in cui lo avrei ricambiato, non è mai giunto. E da quando ho visto padre Ignazio disteso come il bambinello nel presepe, davanti a quell'altare, nella sua chiesa, cerco di immaginare quale davvero sia il miglior modo di onorare non solo la sua opera, ma anche quel suo essere persona di straordinaria grandezza, ma generoso curioso e libero come un fanciullo.

Di certo l'amore della sua vita terrena furono i libri, ed acquistarne in suo nome, per le generazioni di studiosi che verranno*, è cosa appropriata e giusta.

Di certo mi aggiungerò anch'io, e avrete pure una pagina mia da accludere alla raccolta degli insegnamenti suoi, quelli che sono rimasti intrappolati nella trama fittissima delle sue corrispondenze e discussioni: da alcune delle quali sono stato anch'io coinvolto, travolto, affascinato. E devo dire, a questo punto, che sarò orgoglioso di farlo come tattiano, riconoscente anche verso quella vostra, nostra casa dove con Salvatore, nel bene e nel male, ho conosciuto alcuni dei valori per i quali egli visse, e io stesso vivo.

Grazie ancora di quello che fate. E tenetemi invero presente, musicorum minimus, ultimo o penultimo dei suoi amici, se altre iniziative vorrete prendere in onor suo.

Un caro saluto, e arrivederci a fine aprile; per ora, auguri di Buona Pasqua, a Lei e famiglia.

Petrarca, Senilium, XVII.2)

Giuliano Di Bacco (VIT'97)

Università di Bologna

8 Apr. 2003

I am so sad... Nothing to say, except that you are in my heart.

Yours,

Georges Didi-Huberman (VIT’88)

Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Paris

21 Dec 2002

Disidero esprimere a Lei e alla comunità dei Tatti il mio sentitio cordoglio per la scomparsa di Salvatore Camporeale. Io sono stato Fellow del Centro per due anni, dal 1977 al 1979, e ho potuto apprezzare di lui la profonda cultura e l’umanità. Ebbi con lui lunghe discussioni a proposito del lavoro che stavo allora svolgendo nella bibloteche fiorentine e in quella dei Tatti e che portò poi all’edizione del Libru di lu transitu edt vita di misser sancto Iheronimu, dove scherzosamente lo ricordo e lo ringrazio. Ne ho una memoria vivissima. La sua scomparsa rappresenta una gravissima perdita per I Tatti e per il mondo degli studi.

Suo,

Costanzo di Girolamo (VIT’78-’79)

Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II

18 Dec 2002

Campo participated with energy, wit and heartwarming charm at the three doctoral courses I arranged at Villa Aurora, Fiesole, 1997-1999, offering advice to my doctoral students. He contributed to the first volume published from these courses, Innovation and Tradition, and also in the enclosed (and embattled) volume. The news of his death saddened all that came to these courses, his tremendous humanitas and intellectual fervor being sorely missed. Being one of the many who have enjoyed long conversations with him at table or in the Villa I Tatti Gardens, I reckon him the best teacher I have ever had.

Roy Eriksen (VIT’94)

Agder University College

2 July 2003

Siamo veramente costernati per questa gravissima perdita per tutti noi: I Tatti, gli amici e tutto il mondo scientifico che ha goduto della sua presenza viva, sapiente, simpatica, arguta. Saro' sicuramente presente per il nostro ultimo saluto.

Franco, Patrizia, Giulia Facchin (VIT’01)

Conservatorio Statale di Musica "Cesare Pollini"

19 Dec 2002

It is really a very sad news, I am deeply shocked, that Salvatore, who was always a very active and open person, died so quickly. We were talking a lot in the spring on the azalea terrace about the world and its problems before his travel to Israel to teach there at the University. So I am very sad now to hear the news of his death, although he had lived an entire life and made a very considerable life-work and left important impressions to all persons, whom he met.

I wish, to all members of the community of I Tatti, a very nice Christmas time and a fruitful, happy new year for 2003!

Péter Farbaky (VIT’02)

Eötvös Loránd University

19 Dec 2002

I want to express my sorrow and sympathy to everyone at I Tatti over Salvatore’s passing. He was a great mentor to me, as well as a generous and kind human being, as so many know. I last saw him at Johns Hopkins, when I had the privilege to participate in a symposium in his honor. I fear my last correspondence, a Christmas card to him, may not have reached him in time. I am deeply saddended by his passing.

Sincerely,

Giancarlo Fiorenza

Toledo Museum

31 Jan 2003

A fine man, a gentle friend, a superb scholar. So many of us will miss him!

Arthur Fisher (VIT’80)

Seattle University

18 Dec 2002

Ciao Campo

Anna Imelde Galletti (VIT’84)

Università di Perugia

19 Dec 2002

I was, with so many others, very saddened to get your e-mail telling us that Campo is no longer with us. How much we will all miss him. Thank God he apparently went quickly. Thanks for letting me know. How great that he was able to enjoy the September 12 occasion at I Tatti

Best wishes for a prosperous 2003

Mary Gibbons

Villa I Tatti Council Member

25 Dec 2002

Thank you for giving us so promptly the information about the unexpected death of Salvatore Camporeale. It is very sad news but I can’t help thinking that this is an extraordinary elegant way of disappearing for such a socratic personality . Please transmit to Prof Connors and to the Tatti's community all my sorrowful thoughts

Catherine

Catherine Goguel (VIT’02)

Musée du Louvre

18 Dec 2002

This is terrible news. Campo was so wonderful. I will never forget our conversations during my wonderful year at I Tatti and during chance encounters before and after. He was so gentle and learned, a real prince among men. I also admired his political commitment along with his spirit of humanism, which translated the church into a real confidence in human beings. I often think of Campo when I am reading humanist literature. Naomi and I will remember him always. Valla mourns too.

George Gorse (VIT’89)

Pomona College

18 Dec 2002

I feel very sad to get the bad message concerning Salvatore. He was such a great person and he gave me a friendly welcome when I was in I Tatti. I am obliged to him for his friendship and help with my work, his advices and his sympathy to my problems. I understand how important a member of I Tatti he was, and how heavy a loss it is for all of you and for all fellows.

Please, accept my expression of sympathy

Hana Hlavackova (VIT’86)

Institute of Art History, Prague

22 Dec 2002

Thank you very much for letting me know the sad news about Campo, which I have passed on to my colleagues. He was a remarkable scholar and a remarkable man, and it will be hard to imagine I Tatti without his presence. His many friends and admirers at the Warburg Institute mourn his passing. We will be thinking of you all tomorrow.

Yours sincerely,

Charles Hope (VIT’83)

The Warburg Institute

19 Dec 2002

I have only just read your news about Salvatore Camporeale, having only just returned to Melbourne from the Highlands of Scotland. It comes as a shock as I had only recently had several conversations with Salvatore at I Tatti.

Salvatore gave me much encouragement when I first arrived in Florence in 1985 as a rather green researcher, and pushed me to publish even before my PhD thesis had reached completion. Over the years we became firm friends. I was lucky enough to have him as my academic mentor during my Fellowship year 2000-2001. I appreciated his warmth, humour, and scholarship, as well his acceptance of my change in vocation.

I can imagine how much he will be missed at I Tatti and what a gap he leaves, not only in the intellectual life of I Tatti, but also in its sense of family community.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences, and those of my wife Jane Drakard, and pass them on, if appropriate, to the other staff of I Tatti.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Peter Howard (VIT’01)

Monash University

17 Jan 2003

Thank you so much for letting us know the very sad news of Campo’s death. He will be greatly missed. His geniality and wisdom, his delight in ideas and in people, were extraordinary.

Rachel Jacoff (VIT’82)

Wellesley College

18 Dec 2002

Such sad and shocking news about Salvatore Camporeale. I know this is a big loss for the I Tatti community and so many individuals who have been associated with the Center.

My condolences to all of you.

All the best,

Lawrence Jenkens (VIT’02)

University of New Orleans

19 Dec 2002

C’est une bien triste nouvelle que vous nous transmettez là, et qui endeuille, en ce moment de fêtes, tous les Tattisti. Je veux simplement dire l’émotion que je partage en l’apprenant avec vous tous. Je vous remercie de m’en avoir fait part ed je vous prie de recevoir, ainsi que tous les amis de I Tatti, tous mes voeux de bonheur, malgré tout, pour 2003.

Christiane Klapisch-Zuber (VIT’86,’02)

École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales & Centre de Recherches Historiques

22 Dec 2002

It is really awful to hear that Salvatore has left us - only for a while though. He was an extremely nice man and I had thoughtful conversations with him.

Yours, Peter Lautner (VIT’02)

Hungarian Academy of Science

20 Dec 2002

Thanks for sending this. I shall miss him.

Kristen Lippincott (VIT’88,’04)

National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

18 Dec 2002

What a sad moment this is for all of you.

I'm thinking about you all.

Graziella Machetta

Development Associate

Villa I Tatti, USA

18 Dec 2002

Per vari motivi apro solo oggi la posta e sono senza parole. Con grande dolore accolgo la notizia della scomparsa di Campo e il mio cordoglio è per tutti voi che avete condiviso per tanti anni con affetto la sua professionalità e la sua amicizia.

Vi sono vicina

Alessandra Malquori (VIT’00)

Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa

2 Jan 2003

Ho saputo della morte di Campo. Ne sono addolorato. Mi unisco a Voi tutti nelle condoglianze alla famiglia (ne aveva una ?) e lo ricordo, con Stefano e tutti gli amici dei Tatti, con grande rimpianto.

A presto,

Pietro Marani (VIT’82)

Soprintendenza ai Beni Artistici, Milan

20 Dec 2002

Thank you for sending the very sad news. I am so sorry that I cannot be in Florence on Friday to share my grief with the I Tatti community. We were all better people for having known him. Without him, we will have to feel his presence to remind ourselves that to be a true scholar of humanism one cannot ignore humanity. He was father, brother, friend to all. I will always remember his goodness and wisdom in my life as well as in my work and I know am not alone when I say this. Please let me know if there will be another memorial service or if there is anything I can do in the States to help in arranging anything.

Lea Mendelsohn (VIT’86)

18 Dec. 2002

Leggo adesso con grande dolore la tristissima notizia. Grazie infinite per avermi avvisata. Sono in viaggio per andare a trovare i miei genitori a Bari per le feste di Natale, e purtroppo non potrò essere presente ai funerali.

Vorrei chiedervi se avete in progetto qualunque genere di iniziativa comunitaria, tanto per i funerali quanto per onorare la memoria di Campo. In ogni caso, vi sarei grata se vorrete coinvolgermi: ci terrei davvero molto.

Un abbraccio e un caro saluto a tutti.

Marina Montesano (VIT’99)

Università di Genova

18 Dec 2002

It is with great sorrow that we have learned of the death of Campo. Many words will be written about his humanity, his friendship, his scholarship, and his unique place at I Tatti. To us Campo has a special place in our hearts.  He baptized Lorenzo, our son,  in the Battistero in April 1982 during Piero's fellowship. We still remember the great celebration in the garden at I Tatti. We regret that we cannot be present tomorrow morning in Santa Maria Novella to give a final salute to the one person who was so important in greeting our son into the world, but he will be in our hearts.

We share in the grief of the I Tatti family.

Cynthia and Piero Morselli (VIT’82)

VIT Fellow 81/82

19 Dec 2002

I'm writing to acknowledge receiving the letter you sent from Joe Connors (to which I'll send a reply directly to him), but I also want to extend my heartfelt condolences to you and the entire I Tatti community over Salvatore's death. It's a terrible loss, and I Tatti won't be the same without him. I know I'll miss him acutely the next time I come to the villa. It may seem awkward to send holiday greetings and wishes for a happy new year at a time like this, but, even in the sadness of the moment, I of course hope that everyone else is well and that the new year will bring good things.

Best wishes to you,

cheers,

John Najemy (VIT’70-’71,’75,’99)

Cornell University

23 Dec 2002

What sad news! I have written to the convent, and now to you. My deepest sympathies to all at I Tatti who have loved Campo for his erudition, his warmth, his generosity.

He was always so kind and generous to young scholars, and we have all benefited from the way he gently maneuvered us into conversations and made sure we got to meet people. There was a special warmth towards Australians for which we are all grateful.

My sympathies to all the fellowship at I Tatti,

Nerida Newbigin (VIT’84)

University of Sydney,

19 Dec 2002

Please convey my condolences and sadness to the I Tatti community. Just before your e-mail arrived Pauline Watts called to tell me the news. He was a fine scholar and gentle Socrates.

John O’Malley (VIT’67-’68)

Weston School of Theology

18 Dec 2002

Thank you for the very sad news. At least there were no protracted illness or suffering.

Campo was in most ways an ideal scholar and a model for many of us who came to know him as Fellows. Integrity, courage, erudition, and a deeply probing and careful mind are of course what comes to mind first, but also a sense of humor and a great aura of personal peace. He was in Rochester a few years ago (at Nazareth College) to give a talk on the Deed of Constantine, and I had a chance to talk with him then—as always, it was a pleasure: after a learned, urbane, and unassuming display of keen scholarship, he was just as good at companionable conversation over a cup of coffee.

I am one of the many who will remember him fondly, and extend my condolences to the whole of the I Tatti community.

All the best,

Massimo Ossi (VIT’92)

Indiana University

19 Dec 2002

I’m so sorry to hear about Campo’s death. If there is anything that former fellows are doing to honor him, please let me know.

Linda Pellecchia (VIT’95)

University of Delaware

19 Dec 2002

Thank you for forwarding to me Joseph Connors's moving announcement of the sad news of Salvatore Camporeale's death.

Getting to know Salvatore was a highlight of my year at I Tatti. He was one of the most broadly learned, generous, and sincerely committed scholars I have ever had the pleasure to work with. And he had a lovely sense of humor as well!

Best regards,

David Peterson (VIT’85))

Washington and Lee University

19 Dec 2002

I am writing to express my condolences to you and the entire Villa I Tatti family on the recent passing of Dr. Salvatore Camporeale. The news of his passing in December was a shock and saddened me greatly.

For eight years, I was the administrator in the Department of the History of Art here at Johns Hopkins. I looked forward each spring to Dr. Camporeale’s arrival and presence. Although an administrator in one of the other departments took care of his housing needs and the majority of the paperwork associated with his visit’s, I would see him frequently during each spring term.

Dr. Camporeale treated me with the utmost respect and kindness. At the end of each term when it was time to submit grades for the students in his seminar, I would send him a grade change form which I completed except for the grade and his signature. He would send the form back to me quickly, and I always knew the envelope was from him because he addressed me as "Dr." Piraino. This elevation in status always brought a smile to my face.

A little over a year ago, I left the History of Art Department to become the assistant to the Dean of the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences. The dean, Daniel Weiss, was the former Chair of History of Art. At that time, I wrote to Dr. Camporeale to tell him about my new job and invite him to visit me in my new office (which is directly across the hall from History of Art). He sent me a lovely note thanking me for my assistance over the years. Last spring when Dr. Camporeale was at Hopkins, he made three attempts to come see me (he always came when I was at lunch), and finally we connected – I see him coming down the hall with a big smile on his face. It meant so much to me that he made the effort to visit me in my new location, and congratulate me personally in my new position.

I am sure you all miss him terribly. A void has been left not only in the scholarly world, but in humanity itself. Dr. Camporeale was a kind and gentle man, and I feel honored to have known him.

Sincerely,

Patricia A Piraino

Johns Hopkins University

8 Jan 2003

Cathy, Sarah, and I are profoundly sorry to hear about Campo's death. We have so many fond memories of him, as a mentor, friend, and charter member of the Sarah fan club; we feel profoundly fortunate to have known him. I'm sorry we can't make it to the funeral on Friday, but we will be there in spirit. Please let me know if there are any plans for any kind of memorial (fund for the library, etc.); I will be more than glad to participate.

Best regards to everyone--

David Posner (VIT’95)

Loyola University of Chicago

19 Dec 2002

Thank you very much for your sad message.

I'm very trist ... Salvatore lives in my head.

I'm with you at the funeral tomorrow ...

With love

Maria Prokopp (VIT’82,86)

Lorand Eötvös University

18 Dec 2002

Ho saputo la notizia stamattina da Jossa, ora fellow presso di voi. Ne sono desolatissima, anche perché non potrò essere al funerale, in quanto sarò fuori Firenze per insegnare (per la stessa ragione non ho potuto presenziare alla festa di Natale).

Se è possibile essere inserita in qualche necrologio, ve ne sarò grata.

Grazie di avermi avvertito

Giovanna Rabitti (VIT’97)

18 Dec 2002

Thank you so much for letting us all know right away. This is such sad news. Please let me know when the memorial service will be, whenever a date is set.

We send you all our best wishes.

Prof. Christopher Reynolds (VIT’89,’97)

University of California, Davis

18 Dec 2002

Sigh. So hard to believe he's gone.

Best,

Ingrid Rowland (VIT’94)

American Academy in Rome

30 Dec 2002

La ringrazio tantissimo, anche a nome dei confratelli, per la fotografia di Salvatore. Rende di lui la vera immagine … quella di una persone sorridente alla vita e la tutti coloro che lo volevano come amico di strada e di avventura in questo mondo. Era veramente una persona che si poveva sul limitare di due mondi, l’interno e l’esterno. La sua coscienza e quella degli altri. Mai compromessa la prima, sempre rispettoso della seconda. Era perciò incapace di chiudersi a qualsiasi richiesta di consiglio, di aiuto, di conforto. La sua porta era aperta a tutti e tutti trovavano il suo sorriso ad accoglierli.

Grazie dal profondo del cuore per questa sua immagine che ci avete donato e grazie per il bene che gli avete voluto e che nella nostra visita a I Tatti di lunedì avete confermato. In Villa I Tatti è riuscito a trovare quell serenità e quella stima che forse noi non siamo stati capaci di esprimergli. Eravate la sua seconda famiglia, e di questo non possiamo che ringraziarvi. Mancherà a voi, ma mi creda, mancherà moltissimo anche a me. Salvatore mi piaceva considerarlo non un confratello, ma un fratello vero e proprio. Grazie ancora

Fr. Alessandro Salucci

Santa Maria Novella

13 Jan 2003

With great sadness I thank you for letting me know of Salvatore's passing -I am so glad that I had a chance to see him when Gavin and I visited in September.

Simone Schenirer (VIT Exstaff member)

Foundation for Research Science and Technology, New Zealand

19 Dec 2002

Thank you for your message, which I could open upon my return. I was very sorry to hear the sad news, and join you with feelings of a great loss. Please, be so kind as to let me know if you intend to organize an event in Campo's memory.

Ada Segre (VIT’97)

10 Jan 2003

Sono profondamente scossa. Sono scossa, e sono incredula. Non posso immaginare il lunch senza Salvatore. Sono confortata dalla memoria delle mie ultime visite a I Tatti: al lunch mi sono sempre seduta accanto a Salvatore, abbiamo parlato di Valla, di Erasmo, della filologia umanistica, di comuni progetti. Almeno questo mi rimane: la memoria. Grazie del suo cosi partecipe, e cosi sensibile, messaggio

Silvana Seidel Menchi (VIT’73-’74,’93-’03)

Università di Trento

18 Dec 2002

Apprendo con sgomento improvvisa scomparsa Prof. Salvatore Camporeale. Partecipo al vostro dolore per la perdita di un illustre studioso e caro amico.

Salvatore Settis (VIT’95)

Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa

19 Dec 2002

On the face of it, it seems that Salvatore has suddenly and regrettably left us on the 17th, however the attachment has a warning that it may contain a virus. I take it that a confirmation and more detail will appear in the VIT Newsletter later on. I am very sorry if my suspicion is right; we had such an interesting and amusing conversation when I was in Florence in September-October.

Erling Skaug (VIT’89)

University of Oslo

21 Dec 2002

Barbara and I are grateful for your letter about Salvatore. We had heard immediately from Alexa. In my view he or the Lord managed his departure in the very best way possible – after a happy day at I Tatti, to which he was devoted, and arriving home with Alexa.

The last time he was here we were able to photograph him sitting happily in our living room. It’s a photograph we cherish.

There is no question the he made a major contribution to I Tatti.

With all best wishes to you both

Craig Smyth

Director 1974-1985

13 Jan 2003

Thank you so much for sending the news, difficult though it is to have to compose such a letter. I hadn't seen Salvatore for 15 years, but thought the world of him and was glad to have some of my former students work with him at Johns Hopkins and/or read his work.

Katherine H. Tachau (VIT’85)

University of Iowa

30 Dec 2002

Desidero esprimere le mie più sentite condoglianze per la scomparsa del Prof. Camporeale che ho ben conosciuto. Mi aveva dato la Sua adesione anche per il prossimo convegno su "Guerra e pace nel pensiero del Rinascimento" che attuererò dal 14 al 17 luglio a Chianciano e a Firenze. La sua improvvisa scomparsa ci ha profondamente colpito, è indelebile però il ricordo della sua sapienza, della sua umanità e della sua schiettezza.

Prof. Luisa Rotondi Secchi Tarugi

Milan

2 Jan 2003

Siamo molto colpiti dalla tristissima notizia. Ricordiamo Salvatore con grandissima simpatia. Faremo tutto il possibile per essere presenti al funerale. Un abbraccio

Mirko Tavoni (VIT’83) e Alessandra Cappagli (VIT’95)

Università di Pisa

18 Dec 2002

Many thanks for that lunch and your welcome. But what horrible and unexpected news of Camporeale: I'm so sorry. But when we go, may we all go like that. I admired him greatly and it was good to catch a glimpse the other day.

All best,

J. Trapp (VIT’92)

Warburg Institute

18 Dec 2002

It was with deep sorrow that I learned of the death of Salvatore Camporeale, a great humanist and a wonderful man.

Please accept on behalf of our Institute our condolences over the loss of a man whose works and personality will long be remembered.

My personal feelings are very sad. Salvatore was not only my close friend and great master but also almost my father during my fellowship at I Tatti (1999). It was my great adventure to accompany his Socratic teaching as well as to become Polish translator of his two papers and an author of the review of his book "Lorenzo Valla e il ‘De falso credita donatione’".

He will remain in my memory and prayers for ever.

Yours sincerely,

Piotr Urbanski (VIT’99)

Uniwersytet Szczecinski

18 Dec 2002

Thank you so much for passing this news on. Campo was a dear --- he still is --- and I'll remember him at Mass tomorrow,

Sincerely,

Paul Watson (VIT’79)

University of Pennsylvania

18 Dec 2002

Thanks so much for your moving description of Salvatore's funeral -- I would love to read the Provinciale's words if he does give them to Joe Connors. I am having a very hard time imagining, let alone realizing, that Salvatore is gone. It must be very hard for all of you at I Tatti who are so used to his presence. I think of you, and Anna, and Fiorella, and Liliana, Allen .. Something I read, maybe it was the announcement that Joe Connors sent out to the I Tatti community, made me recall how Salvatore came to I Tatti. I t was when Myron was Director. Charles was visiting Florence and Myron invited him up for lunch. Myron asked Charles if there was any Italian scholar in Florence whom he would like to meet or see. Charles was just then reading Salvatore's book on Valla which he thought was stunning and he asked Myron if he could arrange for him to meet Salvatore. Salvatore always remembered receiving this phone call from I Tatti summoning him to lunch. He couldn’t imagine why but up he came in his Dominican robes which is what Fiorella remembered and so it all began. I Tatti and Charles also initiated Salvatore's long relationship with Johns Hopkins. This one I was present for because it took place the year I was a fellow (1981-82). Nancy Streuver was in Florence and Charles arranged for her to come up for lunch so that she could meet Salvatore. They hit it off and that led to 17 years of teaching at Hopkins. The last time I was at I Tatti, Anna gave me her desk to do some work at -- I was looking up some materials on a ritual known as the Quarantore which was widespread in 16th century Italy --- Salvatore came in to see what I was up to and launched into a brilliant impassioned monologue on the subject. He must have gone on for over an hour with me sitting at Anna's desk taking notes and him pacing up and down in front of me. It was an extraordinary mix of erudition, devotion, and also a complex, critique of what he called the "reification of the Eucharist". When he broke off, it was as though he was emerging from a spell he had cast on himself and me; suddenly he said triumphantly, "this has been one of my finest sermons!" and it was over. Another recent memory which I hold dear is very different, but also very Salvatore. This past March, he came up from Baltimore and stayed with me for about a week. He used to do this regularly for years and he and Charles would sit and read and talk for hours. This was the first time he had been able to come since Charles died. At any rate, he announced one night that he wanted to make us dinner. But it would have to be pasta because that is all he can make. So he measured and boiled some water and salt. Then when it came time to add the pasta, he confessed that he had never made pasta for two people. I asked him how he made it for himself. He very slowly and carefully composed a handful of pasta (spaghetti) .. I thought he might actually count the sticks but he didn’t quite do that. So I said why don’t you put that in the pot and then make a second handful just like the first and then there would be two portions. This he prepared to do but with some doubts because he thought that the precise amounts of salt and water that he was accustomed to using in order to prepare one portion might be fatally compromised if they had to accommodate a second handful of pasta. Our discussion of the ramifications of the situation became absurd and hilarious. He said something to the effect that we were either like two scholastics figuring out how many angels could dance on the head of a pin or else like an old married couple whose pastime is quarreling over everything and nothing. Finally, he threw the second handful of pasta in the water and then I said," now we face the real problem which is: how are we going to know which portion is yours and which is mine?" He looked at me in total speechless seriousness for a second or two and then he exploded in laughter. I am so grateful that I was able to see so much of him during the past year and a half. I have promised him that I will finish the essay on the Vatican Gallery of Maps and that I will send it to I Tatti Studies as he wanted me to do.

Pauline Watts (VIT’82)

Sarah Lawrence College

2 Jan 2003

Thank you for letting us know of the very sad news of the death of Salvatore Camporeale.

He was indeed the most remarkable man. He was certainly an essential part of I Tatti, it is very difficult to think of I Tatti without him.

We remember as well his sermons at Santa Maria Novella, and his white robes which remained pristine through the dusty streets and even when he ate spaghetti with very red sauce. It would seem a Dominican miracle. When asked why he had taken such a risk, he explained he wore his robes to the restaurant so we would get a clerical discount.

His sermons, like everything else he said or wrote, expressed uniquely his point of view, very well throughout, erudite, and often even irreverent. He lived surrounded by books, completely absorbed by ideas. He was the ideal scholar.

It was a great privilege and joy to have known him.

Sincerely,

Ed and Barbara Weisl, Jr

Villa I Tatti Council Member

19 Dec 2002

The death of Camporeale saddened me, he recently wrote me with such joy of his plans to come once more and teach in Israel.

Please sent my best wishes to the unforgettable stuff of I Tatti.

Dorit and Roni and little Yael Weinstein (VIT’01)

Hebrew University, Jerusalem

27 Dec 2002

Prendo viva parte al dolore per la morte del caro vecchio amico e compagno di studi Salvatore Camporeale. Ricorderò con rammarico l'ultima conversazione avuta con lui, Lech Szczucki e Perini una dozzina di giorni fa in casa mia, quando Camporeale parlava con preoccupazione delle assicurazioni inadeguate , se fossero state necessarie cure mediche durante  le sue visiting professorships. I suoi studi sono acquisizioni definitive e ne hanno fatto un'autorità non solo su Valla. La sua morte è una grande perdita per gli studi rinascimentali e per tutti quelli che ne stimavano la personalità rettilinea e cordiale e in genere le doti umane

Sinceramente

Paola Zambelli

Università di Firenze

20 Dec 2002