sprezzatura
English
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian sprezzatura (“nonchalance”), which was coined in 1528 by Baldassare Castiglione; the term gained currency in English in the mid-20th century, often to describe art.
Noun
sprezzatura (usually uncountable, plural sprezzaturas)
- (art) The art of performing a difficult task so gracefully that it looks effortless.
- 1959, Baldassare Castiglione, Charles S. Singleton (translator), The Book of the Courtier [1528, Il Cortegiano], Chapter 26 2¶,
- have found quite a universal rule which in this matter seems to me valid above all others, and in all human affairs whether in word or deed: and that is to avoid affectation in every way possible as though it were some very rough and dangerous reef; and (to pronounce a new word perhaps) to practice in all things a certain Sprezzatura [nonchalance], so as to conceal all art and make whatever is done or said appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it.
- 1959, Baldassare Castiglione, Charles S. Singleton (translator), The Book of the Courtier [1528, Il Cortegiano], Chapter 26 2¶,
Further reading
sprezzatura on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
Italian
Etymology
From sprezzare (“to despise”). In the sense of nonchalance used by Baldassare Castiglione in Il Cortegiano, published in 1528.
Pronunciation
Noun
sprezzatura f (plural sprezzature)
- (music, art) nonchalance; sprezzatura
- 1528, Baldassare Castiglione, “XXVI”, in Il Cortegiano:
- […] trovo una regula universalissima, la qual mi par valer circa questo in tutte le cose umane che si facciano o dicano piú che alcuna altra, e ciò è fuggir quanto piú si po, e come un asperissimo e pericoloso scoglio, la affettazione; e, per dir forse una nova parola, usar in ogni cosa una certa sprezzatura, che nasconda l’arte e dimostri ciò che si fa e dice venir fatto senza fatica e quasi senza pensarvi.
- […] have found quite a universal rule which in this matter seems to me valid above all others, and in all human affairs whether in word or deed: and that is to avoid affectation in every way possible as though it were some very rough and dangerous reef; and (to pronounce a new word perhaps) to practice in all things a certain Sprezzatura [nonchalance], so as to conceal all art and make whatever is done or said appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it.
Descendants
- English: sprezzatura
Further reading
sprezzatura on the Italian Wikipedia.Wikipedia it
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