Thursday, May 16, 2019

Parmigianino (1503-1540) - Drawings (Royal Collection)

Parmigianino
Head of a Horse
before 1540
drawing
Royal Collection, Great Britain

Parmigianino
Muse placing a Wreath on the Head of Pegasus
before 1540
drawing
Royal Collection, Great Britain

Parmigianino
Muse placing a Wreath on the Head of Pegasus
before 1540
drawing
Royal Collection, Great Britain

Parmigianino
Frieze with Mythological Figures
before 1540
drawing
Royal Collection, Great Britain

Like the group of Parmigianino drawings from the famous Arundel collection – copied in the 18th century as woodcuts (previous post) after having been carried back to Italy from England – the present group of drawings by the hugely influential Parmigianino also left their land of origin to serve the pleasure and vanity of foreign connoisseurs.  These came to rest in the Royal Collection at Windsor, where they have remained.

Parmigianino
Putti Embracing
before 1540
drawing
Royal Collection, Great Britain

Parmigianino
Two Cupids
before 1540
drawing
Royal Collection, Great Britain

Parmigianino
Two Decorative Female Figures balancing Amphorae
before 1540
drawing
Royal Collection, Great Britain

Parmigianino
Half-length Study of a Woman
before 1540
drawing
Royal Collection, Great Britain

Parmigianino
Death of Lucretia
before 1540
drawing
Royal Collection, Great Britain

"Parmigianino, born Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola in Parma, became Italy's most influential Mannerist painter in his brief twenty-year career.  . . .  Beginning in 1520, the celebrated Renaissance artist Correggio became his primary inspiration.  . . .  In 1524 Parmigianino visited Rome to present a self-portrait to Pope Clement VII.  There the young artist experienced Raphael and Michelangelo's art at first hand, and his style became more grand, elegant, and noble.  Following the Sack of Rome in 1527 Parmigianino escaped to Bologna, but within three years had returned to Parma.  . . .  At this time, according to some accounts, Parmigianino became a devotee of alchemy, transforming himself into a lunatic and completing little work."

– from curator's notes at the Getty Museum

Parmigianino
Studies of Heads
before 1540
drawing
Royal Collection, Great Britain

Parmigianino
Profile Study after Antique Cameo
before 1540
drawing
Royal Collection, Great Britain

Parmigianino
Hercules in Profile after Antique Cameo
before 1540
drawing
Royal Collection, Great Britain

Parmigianino
Head of a Youth in Profile
before 1540
drawing
Royal Collection, Great Britain

Parmigianino
Draped Female Figure in Niche
before 1540
drawing
Royal Collection, Great Britain

Parmigianino
Virgin and Child
before 1540
drawing
Royal Collection, Great Britain