Salvatore Vidal

Salvatore Vidal (1620-1690) is the pseudonym of an observant Franciscan father from Maracalagonis, whose real name was Giovanni Andrea Contini. He wrote in Sardinian, Latin, Tuscan and Spanish, and traveled extensively, far and wide, to the convents of his Order scattered in Spain and Italy. It seems that he was also an expert in oriental languages, he is considered one of the most cultured men of his time. He wrote works of a different nature including the 'Seraphic Mother of Pearl of Life and Miracles of B. Salvatore de Horta', the 'Clipeus aureus excellentiae callaritane', the 'Urania Sulcitana' in defense and exaltation of the Sardinian language.
His works were published almost all on the Italian Peninsula and his interest in the Sardinian language shows that there were still cultural currents on the island that in some way opposed the total Hispanization of the ruling classes, and posed the problem of what the real needs of the island were. In his strong controversy, he clashed with Francesco Angelo De Vico, author of historical works and law manuals, guilty, according to Vidal, of having an overly parochial vision of the island's history and social reality. The controversy between the two gave rise to a duel made up of heavy accusations, equally harsh answers and publications refuting one or the other thesis. A story of personal and cultural contrast unique to those times on the island. The accusation of 'chameleonism' has remained famous, rejected and then overturned by Vidal.

Update

23/6/2026 - 15:04