The Poetry of Parmigianino’s “Schiava Turca
May 13, 2014 to July 20, 2014; The Frick Collection, NYC
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.
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.
Also: LECTURE on this painting and the artist:
“A portrait and its mysteries: Parmigianino’s “Schiava Turca”
Aimee Ng, The Frick Collection Wednesday, May 14, 2014, 6 – 7 p.m
Lecture is Free, but seating is on a first-come, first-served basis; reservations are not accepted
For more questions: education@frick.org
Parmigianino’s exquisite Schiava Turca (Turkish slave) is shrouded in mystery. Who is this woman whose elaborate, almost theatrical, costume inspired an early eighteenth-century writer to give the Renaissance beauty her fantastical name? In this lecture, the guest curator of the special exhibition The Poetry of Parmigianino’s “Schiava Turca” will present a new interpretation of the work. Ng’s new research suggests that the sitter likely held a special status as a poet in the court culture of Northern Italy.―This lecture is made possible by the Robert H. Smith Family Foundation.
See more at: http://www.frick.org//exhibitions/parmigianino#sthash.j86kjQen.dpuf
The Frick Collection
1 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021
212-288-0700