In 1935 Cantatore moved back to Milan, where for a few years he expanded his practice to writing. In 1966 he published his first novel, Ritorno al paese. (Back to the Country) His long friendship with Salvatore Quasimodo resulted in Quasimodo writing a catalogue essay for Cantatore's exhibition at Galleria d'Arte Corocchia in Milan. He also joined the Novecento Italiano movement together with Giuseppe Migneco, Aligi Sassu, and Bruno Cassinari, although he was somewhat resistant to embrace the group's politics.
