Parmigianino, in his work, prefers the graphic sign, the expression of an elegant and graceful research that includes the form and substance of the sensitive world that surrounds him. It’s not a coincidence that the catalog of the artist's artworks consists mainly of drawings, about a thousand, compared to about fifty paintings and frescoes.
A hairstyled head of a young boy by Francesco Mazzola alias ParmigianinoCollezione Fondazione Cariparma
The face of the young man is intriguing in its ambiguity: it has thin features and an androgynous beauty, and it is framed by a beard that blends with the hair held by a veil, which seems inflated with air, and adorned with a ribbon.
It’s an eccentric hairstyle that enhances the sensuality and ambiguity of the young man. Among the long ringed locks appears a slender human figure from behind: is it an illusion or a sophisticated intellectual game?
Parmigianino and the etching
Giorgio Vasari attributes to Parmigianino the intuition of etching and the development of the expressive potential of this technique, which allows to maintain the freshness of the design and the sinuosity of the movement in a vital relationship with the surrounding environment.
A Sheet of 8 etchings by Francesco Mazzola alias ParmigianinoCollezione Fondazione Cariparma
This sheet is very rare. The eight small prints, which are part of the corpus of Parmigianino's engravings, are laid out on a single paper sheet. In fact, the artists printed multiple plates on the same sheet, and then trimmed the individual images for the collectors' market.
A Sheet of 8 etchings Judith by Francesco Mazzola alias ParmigianinoCollezione Fondazione Cariparma
Judith emerges triumphantly from Holofernes’ tent, general of Nebuchadnezzar, whom she has just beheaded. The thin and sinuous heroine raises her sword with pride, turning to her faithful servant with a noble and imperious attitude.
A Sheet of 8 etchings Melancholy by Francesco Mazzola alias ParmigianinoCollezione Fondazione Cariparma
This is an enigmatic figure that could represent St. Thais, or penitent Magdalene, or it could be a study for a Melancholy. The young woman gracefully supports her head in a troubled and brooding attitude.
A Sheet of 8 etchings Nativity by Francesco Mazzola alias ParmigianinoCollezione Fondazione Cariparma
The setting is unusual: the Holy Family is immersed in dim light, while the bodies of the shepherds shine. The variety of shades is given by the elongated and rounded lines, the dense hatching and the dotted lines.
A Sheet of 8 etchings A young man and two elders by Francesco Mazzola alias ParmigianinoCollezione Fondazione Cariparma
The scene is calibrated on a skilful asymmetry, a harmonious and intriguing imbalance of proportions and attitudes, and on the expressive strength of the two old men counterposed to the unripe seduction of the young boy.
A Sheet of 8 etchings St. James the Great by Francesco Mazzola alias ParmigianinoCollezione Fondazione Cariparma
The elongated twisted figure is plastically wrapped in the mantle. The saint leans on his stick and walks majestically with his gaze turned to the path still to be traveled.
A Sheet of 8 etchings The Annunciation by Francesco Mazzola alias ParmigianinoCollezione Fondazione Cariparma
The archangel Gabriel already brought his message and left; it is the solemn moment of the conception, which for Mary translates into the state of her Grace, in the transformation from a woman to the mother of Christ.
The light that emanates from the dove and pervades the entire composition is almost unreal, otherworldly, dazzling and it imbues the atmosphere of sacredness.
A Sheet of 8 etchings The young shepherd by Francesco Mazzola alias ParmigianinoCollezione Fondazione Cariparma
The young shepherd, no longer a child but not yet a teenager, turns to the observer with a mischievous look as he casually tries to fix the rag hat that slips from his head.
Parmigianino pauses to sensitively analyze the elements of a nature that is both harsh and luxuriant: the knobby roots at the end of the stick, or the dog's muzzle that expresses great tenderness.
A Sheet of 8 etchings Virgin with Child by Francesco Mazzola alias ParmigianinoCollezione Fondazione Cariparma
Here we have an atmosphere of intimacy played on the crossing of the eyes of mother and child. The Virgin’s arm extends elegantly to contain Jesus, who throws his curly head back in a gesture of abandonment.
The dense vertical hatching highlights the curvilinear course of the folds of her clothes and of the bending profile of Mary, who, sitting in unstable balance, almost seems to slide slowly downwards.
Text by Fondazione Cariparma and Artificio Società Cooperativa
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