Il Frontespizio was first published in May 1929.[1] The founders were Enrico Lucatello and Piero Bargellini.[2] Giovanni Papini was also instrumental in the establishment of the magazine.[3] The headquarters of Il Frontespizio was in Florence.[4][5] From August 1929 the magazine became monthly, but it rarely published double issues.[1] Vallecchi was the publisher of the magazine from July 1930 to its closure in 1940.[4]
The founding editor was Enrico Lucatello, who was succeeded by Piero Bargellini in the post.[6] Giuseppe de Luca, a Catholic priest, was among the regular contributors and served as the editor of Il Frontespizio.[4][7] Although it targeted Catholic intellectuals, who had been alienated from public life since the Unification of Italy in 1861,[4] the goal of the magazine was not to disseminate Catholic art.[1] Instead, it aimed at being an alternative to avant-gardism and fascist culture in Italy.[4] In addition, Il Frontespizio adopted an anti-Semitic approach.[8] The magazine introduced the Hermetic poetry in Italy[4] through the work by Carlo Bo, a literary critic, Mario Luzi and Piero Bigongiari.[9] The magazine also covered the work by Italian sculptors, including Bartolini, Carlo Carrà, Felice Casorati, De Pisis, Mino Maccari, Manzu, Giorgio Morandi, Ottone Rosai, Semeghini, Severini, Soffici, and Lorenzo Viani.[10]
Il Frontespizio was the recipient of the best graphic work award at the Milan Triennale in 1935.[4] The magazine ended publication in December 1940.[1][5][10]
