The Poetry of Parmigianino’s “Schiava Turca”
Born in Parma and known as Parmigianino after his native city, Francesco Mazzola (1503–1540) lived only thirty-seven years, yet his eloquent, innovative art inspired his contemporaries to name him “Raphael reborn” and praise him as one of the greatest painters of his age. During his short life, Parmigianino was especially esteemed for his portraits. Today his Schiava Turca, an exquisite depiction of a young woman, is an icon in the city of Parma and admired as an expression of ideal female beauty in the tradition of Leonardo’s Mona Lisa. Rarely seen outside its home institution, the Galleria Nazionale di Parma, this masterpiece crosses the Atlantic for the first time for its presentations in 2014 at the Frick and the Legion of Honor, part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The exhibition and accompanying catalogue will offer a fresh interpretation of the identity of the sitter and will be accompanied by a range of public programs.
The Poetry of Parmigianino’s “Schiava Turca” is organized by The Frick Collection with the Foundation for Italian Art & Culture. It marks the two institutions' third collaboration in a series of loans focused on the female portrait in the Renaissance. The series previously featured Raphael’s La Fornarina (Rome, Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica) and Parmigianino’s Antea (Naples, Museo di Capodimonte).
The guest curator is Aimee Ng, Research Associate at The Frick Collection and Lecturer in the Department of Art History and Archaeology at Columbia University.
The Poetry of Parmigianino’s “Schiava Turca” is organized by The Frick Collection with the Foundation for Italian Art & Culture (FIAC).
Support for the presentation in New York is generously provided by Gabelli Funds, Aso O. Tavitian, The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert L. Goldschmidt, Hester Diamond, and the Foundation for Italian Art & Culture.
Parmigianino, Schiava Turca, ca. 1531–34. Oil on panel, 68 x 53 cm. Galleria Nazionale di Parma; photo courtesy of Scala / Art Resource, NY
"Choose a job you love and you will not have to work a day in your life" (Confucius)
Titian (Tiziano Vecellio)Pieve di Cadore 1488/90–1576 VenicePortrait of a Man in a Red Cap, ca. 1510Oil on canvas32 3/8 x 28 in. (82.2 x 71.1 cm)The Frick Collection; Henry Clay Frick Bequest
An early work by Titian, this portrait exemplifies the luminous, lyrical painting style of Venetian artists of the sixteenth century. Masterful paint handling creates the illusion of soft fur, gold satin, and the red fabric (perhaps felt) of the sitter’s fashionable cap. With dark eyes that seem to look into the distance, the young man wears an expression that signals a deep, reflective interiority. One gloved hand lingers on the hilt of his sword. His features are particular but also idealized, and with his pensive countenance, he epitomizes Renaissance ideals of poetic male beauty.
The video
Publicado el 12/05/2014
Aimee Ng, Guest Curator, introduces the current exhibition 'The Poetry of Parmigianino's Schiava Turca,' on view at the Frick until July 20, 2014. This video will be on view in the Music Room at the Frick during the run of the exhibition.