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"Antea" is considered by many to be the best work signed by Parmigianino, and starting on the 29th of January 2008, at the Frick Collection in New York, this haunting and delicate portrait will be, for the first time in over two decades, presented in the US. On loan from the Museo di Capodimonte in Naples, this is considered by dealers and art historians one of the best portraits in Italian Renaissance, compared often to the Mona Lisa, the masterpiece created by Leonardo da Vinci. Due to the naturalistic presentation and the gaze of the model, historians believe that the artist knew the young woman, yet her identity remains a mistery. But her real name is but one of the misteries which surround the paintings. |
This work of art is first mentioned at the end of the 17th century, in a document, the sitter being presented as Antea, the Roman courtesan, as well as one of Parmigianino's mistresses. Other historians claim that the beautiful young woman was either the daughter or servant of Parmigianino, that the composition was actually a commision for a wealthy family or that "Antea" was actually from an aristocratic Italian finaly. Whatever her real identity was - and if she was a real person - the mistery only deepens. For the same face is identical to one of an angel, in other of Parmigianino's paintings, Madonna of the Long Neck (1534 - 1439).
The showcasing of this important European artwork is a great chance for American art lovers to discover the magic and characteristics of Renaissance painting.
Photo : frick.org
2007-10-11
