Parmigiani Amica: An 18th Century Engraving and Etching by Strange After Mazzola
This is an 18th century engraving and etching entitled "Parmigiani Amica" by Robert Strange after a painting by Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, better known as Parmigianino, who lived during the Renaissance period. It was published in London in 1774. As the inscription states, the painting was in the collection of the King of Naples at the time the engraving was made. The engraving depicts a half-length portrait of a young woman, known as Parmigiani's Amica (meaning "female friend" in Italian). She is depicted wearing a simple but elegant dress with a low-cut neckline, which reveals her delicate features and graceful neck. Her hair is arranged in a simple yet stylish manner. She is turning to the right to look lovingly at her infant, which she is holding with her right arm. She is touching the baby's mouth with her left hand. The background of the engraving is plain and unadorned, allowing the viewer to focus entirely on the subject of the portrait. The result is a beautiful and timeless image that captures the essence of Renaissance portraiture.Creator: After Parmigianino (1503 - 1540)
Creation Year: 1774
Dimensions: Height: 16.25 in (41.28 cm)
Width: 12 in (30.48 cm)
Medium: Engraving, Etching
Condition: See description below.
This is an 18th century engraving and etching entitled "Parmigiani Amica" by Robert Strange after a painting by Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, better known as Parmigianino, who lived during the Renaissance period. It was published in London in 1774. As the inscription states, the painting was in the collection of the King of Naples at the time the engraving was made. The engraving depicts a half-length portrait of a young woman, known as Parmigiani's Amica (meaning "female friend" in Italian). She is depicted wearing a simple but elegant dress with a low-cut neckline, which reveals her delicate features and graceful neck. Her hair is arranged in a simple yet stylish manner. She is turning to the right to look lovingly at her infant, which she is holding with her right arm. She is touching the baby's mouth with her left hand. The background of the engraving is plain and unadorned, allowing the viewer to focus entirely on the subject of the portrait. The result is a beautiful and timeless image that captures the essence of Renaissance portraiture.Creator: After Parmigianino (1503 - 1540)
Creation Year: 1774
Dimensions: Height: 16.25 in (41.28 cm)
Width: 12 in (30.48 cm)
Medium: Engraving, Etching
Condition: See description below.
This is an 18th century engraving and etching entitled "Parmigiani Amica" by Robert Strange after a painting by Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, better known as Parmigianino, who lived during the Renaissance period. It was published in London in 1774. As the inscription states, the painting was in the collection of the King of Naples at the time the engraving was made. The engraving depicts a half-length portrait of a young woman, known as Parmigiani's Amica (meaning "female friend" in Italian). She is depicted wearing a simple but elegant dress with a low-cut neckline, which reveals her delicate features and graceful neck. Her hair is arranged in a simple yet stylish manner. She is turning to the right to look lovingly at her infant, which she is holding with her right arm. She is touching the baby's mouth with her left hand. The background of the engraving is plain and unadorned, allowing the viewer to focus entirely on the subject of the portrait. The result is a beautiful and timeless image that captures the essence of Renaissance portraiture.Creator: After Parmigianino (1503 - 1540)
Creation Year: 1774
Dimensions: Height: 16.25 in (41.28 cm)
Width: 12 in (30.48 cm)
Medium: Engraving, Etching
Condition: See description below.
The engraving is printed on watermarked paper. The sheet measures 16.25" high and 12' wide. The sheet is adhered to paper in its upper corners and it has been removed from the paper in its lower corners. There is some mild discoloration and some wrinkling in the margins, including the lower inscription area, and a small dark spot in the upper margin, which may represent a drop of ink occuring at the time of printing. These issues do not involve the image, which is in very good condition. The print is held by several museums and institutions, including: The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The British Museum in London, The Royal Museums of the UK, The British National Trust, and The Harvard University Museum of Art.
Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola (1503-1540), better known as Parmigianino (the little one from Parma), was an Italian Renaissance painter and printmaker born on January 11, 1503, in Parma, Italy. He was the son of a painter, and he started his apprenticeship with his uncle at the age of 12. Parmigianino's talent was quickly recognized, and he developed a highly distinctive mannerist style, characterized by elongated proportions, refined colors, and delicate, graceful forms. He was deeply influenced by the works of Correggio, a fellow Italian painter, and his own art would inspire later generations of artists, including the Mannerists and the Baroque painters. Parmigianino was highly sought after by patrons throughout Italy, and he completed several major works during his lifetime, including the Madonna with the Long Neck, which is considered one of his most famous paintings. He was also a prolific printmaker, producing a large number of etchings and engravings. Despite his artistic success, Parmigianino's life was marked by personal struggles, including financial difficulties and a tumultuous love life. He died at the age of 37 in Casalmaggiore, Italy, leaving behind a legacy as one of the great Italian artists of the Renaissance.
Robert Strange (1721-1792) was a Scottish engraver and artist known for his intricate and detailed engravings of classical and historical subjects. Born in Orkney, Scotland, Strange initially pursued a career in law before turning to art and studying under William Johnstone. He later moved to Paris and studied under the renowned engraver and printer Charles-Nicolas Cochin. In the 1750s, Strange moved to London and began to establish his reputation as a skilled engraver, producing works for a number of prominent patrons, including King George III. He was particularly noted for his engravings of works by Italian Renaissance artists such as Raphael and Michelangelo. In addition to his work as an engraver, Strange was also a talented painter and exhibited his own works at the Royal Academy. He was elected a member of the Academy in 1780 and was knighted by King George III in 1787.
Robert Strange is remembered as one of the most accomplished engravers of his time, with a style that combined technical precision with a strong sense of composition and drama. His works continue to be highly regarded by art historians and collectors today.
