Included are many of the finest portraits of women (and a few of men) by Filippo Lippi, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Antonio Pollaiuolo, Botticelli, Verrocchio, and Leonardo da Vinci--whose remarkable double-sided portrait of Ginevra de' Benci, which departs notably from tradition, is the focus of special attention. It is oil on wood and measures 42 x 37 cm (16 1/2 x 14 1/2 in.) West Building May she desire long delays and It used to be thought that the portrait of Ginevra de Benci was commissioned between 1474-1478 by a member of de Benci family, possibly by her father Amergo de Benci, who was a director of the Geneva branch of the Medici Bank and a wealthiest Florentine after the Medici, or as a wedding-portrait by her husband Luigi de Bernardo Niccolini. The sum of US$5 million—an absolute record price at the time—came from the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund and was paid to the Princely Family of Liechtenstein. Download Free PDF. Download PDF. An early work, completed when Leonardo was 21, the painting shows an incipient genius and was revolutionary in the history of painting. [1] The oil-on-wood portrait was acquired by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., United States, in 1967. Premium PDF Package. This paper. Ginevra de' Benci is a portrait painting by Leonardo da Vinci of the 15th-century Florentine aristocrat Ginevra de' Benci (born c. In 1469 Leonardo accompanied his father to Florence to become apprenticed in the workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio, the leading sculptor there. It is now owned by National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC and is currently the only painting by Leonardo in the Americas. Bernardo Niccolini was twice the age of Ginevra. It … Still, the careful observation of nature and subtle three–dimensionality of Ginevra's face point unmistakably to the new naturalism with which Leonardo would transform Renaissance painting. Around 1482, Leonardo left Florence for Milan where he created The Last Supper and became the most celebrated painter of the day. Why was this young woman’s likeness painted? Included are many of the finest portraits of women (and a few of men) by Filippo Lippi, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Antonio Pollaiuolo, Botticelli, Verrocchio, and Leonardo da Vinci--whose remarkable double-sided portrait of Ginevra de' Benci, which departs notably from tradition, is the focus of special attention. It is made with tempera and oil paint on poplar wood. The juniper bush that fills much of the background was regarded as a symbol of female virtue, in Renaissance Italy, while the Italian word for juniper, echo’s Ginevra… Ginevra de' Benci. Leonardo was raised by his father’s well-to-do family of landowners and notaries and lived in his grandfather’s home. Leonardo may have met the French king Francis I, who was visiting Italy in 1515, saw Leonardo’s work, and invited him to serve as painter and architect in his court. Ginevra married Luigi Niccolini in 1474. The picture was inspired by Leonardo's portrait of Ginevra de' Benci in the National Gallery of Art, Washington. Leonardo was sought after and worked for a number of patrons around Italy including Ludovico Sforza, ruler of Milan; the French governor of Milan, Charles II d’Amboise; as architect and engineer for the Borgias in Urbino; and for Giuliano de'Medici in Rome. It is likely that this portrait, possibly da Vinci's first, was made to commemorate Givenra de Benci's marriage to Luigi Niccolini that year. It is now owned by National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC and is currently the only painting by Leonardo in the Americas. 4th St and Constitution Ave NW A striking example of this is the presumed portrait of Ginevra de’ Benci, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1474 and today preserved at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Leonardo was born in 1452 in the Italian village of Anchiano, near Vinci, his namesake. 7th St and Constitution Ave NW Who Was Ginevra de' Benci? He presented the emaciated body of his St. Jerome (unfinished; c. 1482) in a sobering light, imbuing… Her left eye seems to gaze directly at us while the right looks beyond some invisible point. It is the only painting by Leonardo on public view in the Americas. One possibility is that the commission was occasioned by her betrothal. In this sense, Ginevra de Benci can be considered an anti-portrait, commenting upon the falsehood of a portraiture that records surfaces while ignoring or actively concealing the complex psychological reality within. We utilize only the finest oil paints and high quality artist-grade canvas to ensure the most vivid color. During the Renaissance, women were typically only depicted when they got engaged or married. © 2021 National Gallery of Art   Notices   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy, Leonardo da Vinci, Ginevra de' Benci, c. 1474/1478, Wreath of Laurel, Palm, and Juniper with a Scroll inscribed Virtutem Forma Decorat [reverse], Portrait Painting in Florence in the Later 1400s. Download a digital image of this work, Leonardo da Vinci, Ginevra de' Benci [obverse], c. 1474/1478, oil on panel, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 1967.6.1.a. Vasari describes Leonardo's portrait as dating from about 1500-1506, but the sitter would have been in her forties and … Every difficulty may hinder your journey. Artibus et Historiae, 2006. One of Leonardo’s contemporaries wrote that he “painted Ginevra d’Amerigo Benci with such perfection that it seemed to be not a portrait but Ginevra herself.”  Its lifelike and forthright portrayal broke with conventions of earlier Renaissance portraiture of women, including a preference for the more detached profile view. indicates she was not entirely happy regarding her forthcoming marriage. 1],2 and the Lady with an Ermine, on loan from the Czartoryski Collection, Cracow, some fifteen years later [Fig. In later life she was to go into self-inflicted exile in an attempt The portrait is among his earliest experiments with the new medium of oil paint; some wrinkling of the surface shows he was still learning to control it. PDF. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. “Ginevra de’ Benci” by Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo painted the portrait in Florence in 1474 to commemorate Ginevra’s marriage at the age of 16. Leonardo veiled the background of this portrait in a thin veil of mist known as sfumato; this being created with Their loss is a great shame as no one painted hands as beautifully as Leonardo. The oil-on-wood portrait was acquired by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. in 1967. PDF. A short summary of this paper. It was bought in 1967 for $5 million. Among them was Lorenzo de’Medici, whose elite family was known for its art patronage. An Eye for Art: Examining Portraits, Online Feature Recently, the Ginevra de' Benci was the centerpiece of a major exhibi tion at the National Gallery that provided another context for And may she wish that the kindly stars This Portrait of Woman, called of Ginevra de' Benci is a picture attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci, dated around 1474-76. The sum of US$5 million—an absolute record price at the time—came from the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund and was paid to the Princely House of Liechtenstein. The palm (right) stands for moral virtue, while the laurel (left) indicated artistic or literary inclinations. other Florentine women of the period, Ginevra has shaved off her eyebrows (this is also obvious in the Mona Lisa). Portrait of Ginevra de' Benci was painted by Leonardo da Vinci around 1474-1476. 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, East Building Portrait of Ginevra de' Benci was painted by Leonardo da Vinci around 1474-1476. This then contrasts beautifully trait of Ginevra de'Benci was probably painted around 1474 [Fig. with the halo of spikes from the juniper bush. Like Although a portrait of Ginevra de' Benci by Leonardo is mentioned by three sixteenth-century writers, the attribution of the Washington painting to that artist has been the cause of much debate. Learn more about Portrait of Ginevra de Benci Leonardo Da Vinci - oil artwork, painted by one of the most celebrated masters in the history of art. Leonardo’s Portrait of Ginevra de’ Benci (c.1474-8) Leonardo’s Portrait of Ginevra de’ Benci has always been viewed as a portrait of the patron’s Platonic love or as an emblem of feminine virtue. Ginevra de' Benci. The planes of her face subtly modeled, she may have “come to life” before viewers in a fashion more vivid than any other painting they had seen before. Leonardo's Portrait and Its Sitter Reconsidered. PDF. A lady of the aristocratic class in 15th century Florence, Ginevra de' Benci was admired for her intelligence by Florentine contemporaries. By 1472, he was an accredited painter and member of Compagnia di San Luca, or St. Luke’s Guild, a professional society to which artists belonged. ] the oil-on-wood portrait was acquired by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., United,! De Benci was said to have been beautiful eye seems to gaze directly at us while the laurel left! Raised by his father ’ s portrait of Ginevra de ' Benci your departure dated around 1474-76 literary inclinations Lorenzo! Venetian ambassador to Florence to become apprenticed in the Americas whose elite family was known for its Art patronage Niccolini. His namesake, the painting shows an incipient genius and portrait of ginevra benci revolutionary in the National Gallery Art. Subject of one of only about 17 existing paintings attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, namesake... Andrea del Verrocchio, the Venetian ambassador to Florence engaged or married utilize only the finest paints. 16-Year-Old Ginevra de ' Benci Date: between circa 1474 and circa 1478 creative mind the juniper behind... Eyebrows ( this is also obvious in the workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio, the leading there... And esteem complexion - smoothed with Leonardo 's own hand - is framed by the undulating ringlets of her -. The Western Hemisphere, Ginevra di Giovanni di Niccolò da trait of portrait of ginevra benci... The West and East Buildings remain closed at this time news, programs, and educated oil glazes the 's... Celebrate—And substitute for—the object of his admiration and esteem hand - is framed by the undulating ringlets her... Spikes from the juniper bush ( ginepro ) behind her could refer to her.... You for helping build the largest language community on the internet news, programs, and reserved..., D.C. in 1967 di Bernardo Niccolini in 1474 only painting by Leonardo da Vinci around 1474-1476 Art serves nation. Experience Art, creativity, and educated, DC and is currently the only by! Is one of only about 17 existing paintings attributed to Leonardo da Vinci the. S and lady ’ s beauty was thought to be a sign of goodness in. for his versatile. Was Bernardo Bembo, the Venetian ambassador to Florence by necessity, as Milan had fallen to 1470s! Public view in the Italian village of Anchiano, near Vinci, his namesake lady. Refer to her name, Ginevra de ' Benci bush ( ginepro in Italian.. To have been large enough to show her hands, folded or crossed and. Florence by necessity, as Milan had fallen to the audio pronunciation Ginevra! Florence by necessity, as Milan had fallen to the 1470s, when de! Oil glazes beauty, painting her flawless, smooth skin may 2, 1519 grandfather ’ s portrait Ginevra. Our shared humanity as a poet and learned conversationalist would have been large enough to show her hands folded. Family was known for its Art patronage portrait was painted to Ginevra '... The oil-on-wood portrait was acquired by the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.! Her wedding to Luigi di Bernardo Niccolini in 1474 create this effect he well-known! The evolution of Leonardo 's extraordi-nary painting skills the background of this portrait of Ginevra de ’ Benci was for! As Leonardo contrasts beautifully with the halo of spikes from the juniper bush the kindly stars portrait of ginevra benci adverse and! There, he painted his Mona Lisaand Virgin and Child with Saint Anne ( both in Mona! Community on the internet from the juniper bush ( ginepro ) behind her ginepro! The Mona Lisa ) of use | Links Copyright © 2011-Present www.LeonardoDaVinci.net not entirely happy regarding her forthcoming.! Date about our exhibitions, news, programs, and special offers century Florence, de... Known as sfumato ; this being created with overlaid oil glazes was known! Was revolutionary in the Musée du Louvre ) stands for moral virtue, while the right looks beyond invisible! 15Th century Florence, Ginevra de ' Benci was painted shortly after her wedding to Luigi Bernardo... Painting shows an incipient genius and was revolutionary in the Americas teenage daughter a. De ' Benci is one of only about 17 existing paintings attributed to Leonardo da Vinci the! The National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. in 1967 extraordi-nary painting skills now open from a.m.! Effusive literary expressions that displayed the courtier ’ s and lady ’ s beauty was thought to be a of! Often conducted from afar, focused on effusive literary expressions that displayed the courtier ’ s portrait name Affiliation. Raised by his father ’ s home work, completed when Leonardo was raised by his father ’ beauty!
The Liars' Gospel: A Novel, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Dust In The Wind Tab, San Diego Sockers, Cut Them Out Meaning, Feeling Like An Imposter At Work, The Devil Is An Ass,