Abstract

The essay reconstructs Monica Vitti’s biography in six stages: her childhood, that remains an indelible imprint; her theatrical experience between 1949-59, producing an enduring love for the stage; a turning point with L’avventura and Antonioni’s films (1960-64), and the interweaving of art and life it implied; the happy choice of comedy acting, that led her to become the star of the commedia all’italiana and complete her image as a diva (1965-82); the final, significant artistic phase, with the two films directed by Russo and her directorial and screenwriting debuts (1983-96); and finally, the illness and her farewell to life that lasted more than twenty years.