Federigo Nomi and Francesco Redi
“My dear Federigo, how distressed I was to read that passage in your letter (…). I wish I could console you. And I say this with the tenderness of a loving heart, of a heart belonging to the friend that I am, for I am the oldest friend you have”
Francesco Redi’s (Arezzo, 18 February 1626 – Pisa, 1 March 1697) reply to a heartbroken Nomi following his enforced resignation as Chancellor of the Collegio Ducale della Sapienza in Pisa due to the “quarrelsome, proud and unscrupulous” Giovanni Andrea Moniglia (Florence 1624 – 1700) who “shamefully hounded” him out of the post, reflects the atmosphere of mutual accusation pitting Galileo’s followers against the Aristotelians in Pisa’s university circles.
Nomi’s prolific correspondence – particularly during his “exile” in Monterchi, where he was the parish priest from 1682 to 1705 – with the most influential academic figures of his day in Tuscany such as Magliabechi and Redi, acquired, with Redi at least, an almost filial quality: “everything, and whatever good may come from my mind, everything, everything derives from your most illustrious person which has given me the power to make something of myself with help, counsel and by example (…).”
This mutual esteem was also frequently voiced by Redi in the letters he addressed to Nomi: (…) Love me. And believe me for ever. (…).
On display
