http://www.daasv.org/events/#970

Join Dartmouth and Columbia alumni at a lecture titled, A Renaissance Mystery Woman: The Poetry of Parmigianino's Schiava Turca with Professor Aimee Ng, followed by an exhibit of Parmigianino's Portrait of a Young Woman, called Schiava Turca (ca. 1532). Aimee Ng is a Research Associate at The Frick Collection and Lecturer in the Department of Art History and Archaeology at Columbia University.

Parmigianino (Italian, 1503–1540) was, after Correggio, the most celebrated painter from his birthplace of Parma. Heralded as an originator of Mannerism, he developed an expressive, personalized style. His active years were spent entirely in Italy, though his fame and reputation spread across Europe through the wide dissemination of his etchings, which displayed tremendous skill. In its emphasis on elegantly attenuated forms, Parmigianino’s work is characterized by an opposition to the naturalistic style established by earlier Renaissance painters. Dartmouth Silicon Valley invites alumni and their guests to a special, docent-led tour before the de Young opens to the public. Join us on as we experience the exhibit followed by breakfast in the museum café.

Schiava turca, which portrays an unknown young noblewoman, was painted at the end of the artist’s three-year stay in Bologna or upon his return at this time to his native Parma. Its exotic title first appeared in a 1704 inventory, when the painting was part of the collection of Cardinal Leopoldo de’ Medici in the galleries at the Palazzo degli Uffizi. Her elegant headdress had been mistaken for a turban, since the subject had been thought to be a Turkish slave. In fact, the round balzo was a fashion accessory invented by or for Isabella d’Este and worn by Northern Italian women, and appears in several other portraits of the period. The balzo seen here is sewn with gilt thread and decorated with a medallion of Pegasus, a symbol of poetic inspiration. Scholars have proposed that the insignia may be a heraldic reference to a family in Casalmaggiore, near Parma.

To aid in the planning of this event, RSVP by July 22nd. Please include the first and last name, and Dartmouth class (if applicable), of each attendee. If any attendee is less than 14 years old, please let us know that too. RSVPs and payments received after July 22nd are welcome, but must pay a $10 administration fee. Please register early!  Reservation/Cancellation Policy