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- Parmigianino was one of the most gifted draughtsmen of the entire Renaissance
- The Louvre collection of Parmigianino's drawings is extensive and the reader can follow the development of his career through his beautiful drawings, often compared with the finished paintings
- Published to accompany an exhibition at the Musée du Louvre, Paris, 22 December 2015 - 15 February 2016
Parmigianino (1503-1540) was among the leading artists of Mannerism, the style that characterised the later years of the Italian High Renaissance and spread throughout Europe, and is known for the exquisite grace and refinement of his art. Heir to Raphael and Correggio he is considered one of the most accomplished draughtsmen of all times. The Louvre has the largest collection of his drawings and the catalogue traces his development as an artist through the analysis of over 60 magnificent drawings.
Parmigianino was extremely precocious, and after having absorbed the innovations coming from different artistic centres of Northern Italy (Venice, Ferrara, Cremona, Parma), at only 19 years of age he went to Rome and was presented to the Pope. After the sack of Rome, he moved to Bologna and then returned to his hometown, Parma. Never satisfied with the results attained, he drew and sketched continuously, leaving us an exceptional legacy.
Contents: Essays - Parmigianino in the eye of the mirror by Dominique Cordellier; ' La maniera bella': the style of the draughtsman by Laura Angelucci; An alchemist of draughtsmanship: observations on drawing techniques by Roberta Serra; The formation of the Parmigianino collection at the Louvre by Laurence Lhinarès; Chronology; Catalogue; 1517-1524: from Parme to Rome by Dominique Cordellier; 1524-1530: Rome and Bologna by Roberta Serra; 1530-1540: Parme and Casalmaggiore by Laura Angelucci; Bibliography; Index of names and places.
Text in French.
Dominique Cordellier is curator at the Department of Graphic Arts at the Musèe du Louvre in Paris.
