Though it has been associated with the resurgence of interest in menswear fueled by the internet, the italian word sprezzatura is actually quite old. Unlike most of the terms in our glossary, whose roots can be traced to latin or greek, sprezzatura is an italian word. It was coined in 1528 by baldassare castiglione in his guide to ideal courtly behavior, il cortegiano in english, the book of the courtier. It was popularize in castigliones book of the courtier, stating that it was a necessary trait for a perfect courtier. Francescomaria della rovere, count lewis of canossa, the l. Of course there is more to sprezzatura than just restraint. Every book on your english syllabus summed up in a quote from the office. Sprezzatura by peter depiro, mary desmond pinkowish. In the early 16th century, count baldassare castiglione penned his famous book of the courtier, synthesizing the ideals of the medieval courtly gentleman with.
For centuries after his death, castigliones book of the courtier was considered required. It was first used by baldassare castiglione 14781529 in the book of the courtier, a classic of italian renaissance literature. A term defined in the renaissance that simply means doing something extremely well. Castiglione was a courtier himself, and his book is a description of court life under guidobaldo montefeltro, son of federigo. When claudio falls in love, he tries to be the perfect courtier by using intricate. Baldassare castiglione coins the concept sprezzatura in the book of the courtier i. In the early 16th century, count baldassare castiglione penned his famous book of the courtier, synthesizing the ideals of the medieval courtly gentleman with the new renaissance man. Sprezzatura what it is, dos and donts gentlemans gazette. Gaspar pallavicin, bembo, bibiena, and other most excellent courtiers, and of the noblest. There is the quality people refer to when a man is called suave. While all are amusing, the spark and wit of the first provides a classic example of the. Origin and explanation of sprezzatura castiglione the.
The art and depth of sprezzatura is defined by a mans power. Castigliones aim was to instruct noblemen on proper manners and comportment, and part. The word sprezzatura was coined in 1528 by baldassarre castiglione in the book of the courtier to mean a kind of grace with a special essence. Sprezzatura, or the art of effortless mastery, was coined in 1528 by baldassare castiglione in the book of the courtier.
The goal of sprezzatura was to teach noblemen on how to cultivate an elegant lifestyle while appearing natural and unrehearsed about it. An element that resembles castigliones sprezzatura is also present in the section on clothes. The word sprezzatura, or the art of effortless mastery, was coined in 1528 by baldassare castiglione in the book of the courtier. The book of the courtier is a sixteenthcentury courtesy book written by baldassare castiglione between 15 and 1524. Therefore anyone who wants to be a good pupil must not only do things well but must also make. Sprezzatura is an italian word that first appears in baldassare castigliones 1528 the book of the courtier, where it is defined by the author as a certain. Theres an italian word for making everything you do seem effortless. The book of the courtier was written by count baldassare castiglione. The book quickly became enormously popular and was assimilated. Its origins are coming fro renaissance era and it was first mentioned in the book of the courtier. It is italian way of dressing and looking good without looking as you tried to hard. The book of the courtier, like machiavellis the prince, is a work of civic humanism, using the classics to prepare for effective performance in political life. Essentially, this book tells a gentleman how to act.