Karl Kerényi e Rolf Schott, un’amicizia romana

Unpublished correspondence re- veals a unique relationship be- tween art historian and German writer Rolf Schott and well-known philologist and historian of reli- gions Karoly Kerényi. Having fled their country of or- igin to avoid the Nazi ideology, they both lived the rest of their existence in a substantial condi- tion of exile. In spite of this, it is not uncommon to glimpse into Kerényi’s regards to Schott a due tribute to the fate that moved them away from their homeland, but allowed them to meet. Surprisingly, we learn that the well-known Kerényi turns to the unknown Schott as a student to a teacher, a guide granting com- ments and opinions. But, revers- ing the usual mentor-disciple relationship, where the first co- opts the second, here is Kerényi who picks Schott as a guide, thus reiterating its proud autonomy of Hungarian intellectual who chooses but is not chosen.