Аннотация: The administrative success of Raffaello Sanzio in the Rome of 16th century. About The Book of the Courtier by Baldassare Castiglione. The note.
The administrative success of Raffaello Sanzio in the Rome of 16th century. About The Book of the Courtier by Baldassare Castiglione. The note.
Raffaello Sanzio, a native of the Italian province, achieved in Rome not only creative, but also administrative success.
The range of his official duties can be compared with the modern position of the Minister of Culture.
One of the contemporaries and close acquaintances of Raffaello Sanzio was Baldassare Castiglione. From 1507 to 1515, Baldassare Castiglione was writing The Book of the Courtier - a generalization of courtly rules.
Perhaps some of these rules were useful to Raphael.
In 1515-1516, Raphael painted a portrait of Baldassare Castiglione.
A brief look (by Castiglione) at these rules - the rules of "modern man" (of the 16th century) from the highest social class may have been useful to Raffaello Sanzio in Rome.
We had at our disposal a part of the book by Baldassare Castiglione, published in the book "Works of the great Italians of the 16th century. Series" Library of Renaissance culture "// Compilation, comments by L. M. Bragina; translated from Italian. - St. Petersburg. 2002. - 377 p. ["Сочинения великих итальянцев XVI в. Серия "Библиотека ренессансной культуры" // Составление, комментарии Л.М. Брагиной; перевод с итальянского. - Спб. 2002. - 377 с.]
Here is what Count Baldassare Castiglione recommends. (If you leave out the long preface and pompous phrases, as well as reflections on the formation and use of the Italian language in the 16th century).
Every thing has its own perfection, even if hidden one. From this position, one can give assessments (to someone, something). (To refrain from extreme judgments ).
A natural attractiveness (a certain grace [elegance, sophistication, lightness]), natural talents, (a help from) a Fortune - are desirable.
The ability to make a good first impression and win the support of public opinion.
To be "incorruptibly loyal and fearlessly brave" (especially in military affairs.). Have a "valiant spirit". [here and further - translation from the Russian-language text]
To be "severe, courageous and always among the first when dealing with enemies. In any other circumstances - to be humane, modest, restrained, avoiding above all swagger and shameless self-praise, which always causes a feeling of hostility and disgust in listeners."
"Whoever knows how to praise himself without sinning against the truth, without causing irritation and envy among others, he is a highly tactful person and is also worthy of praise from others ... ".
It is desirable to strive in any business to be somewhat ahead of others. "Let his every action be filled with true tact and grace, if he wants to win that general disposition that is so dear to him."
To be able to "swim, jump, run, throw stones, because - besides the fact that this can be useful in war - you often have to show what you are capable of in this kind of thing. It gives a good reputation, especially [a good reputation] in the opinion of the crowd, which - anyway - needs to be reckoned with. ... A playing the ball ... ... Equestrian vaulting [a vaulting on a horse] ... The other activities can be neglected, such as somersaulting on the ground or walking on a tightrope and the like, which is rather akin to buffoonery ...".
'Let him condescend to more calm and peaceful entertainment, so as not to arouse ill will towards himself and to behave kindly with everyone ... Let him laugh, joke, dance, but at the same time he will always be skillful and prudent; in everything that whatever he does or says, let him be graceful." "He who has grace [elegance, sophistication, lightness] is pleasant."
To be like a bee collecting honey from flowers, - taking an example from those who have dignity and grace. To express a kind of ease in everything that would hide the art [skills, abilities, "secrets of behavior"] and make what is done and said fulfilling without difficulty and, as it were, without hesitation.
"... Ease ... causes the greatest admiration; and, on the contrary, when they try hard and, as they say, go out of their way, it leaves a very unpleasant impression ...". "... To avoid, as the most dangerous pitfall, affectation ...". [Affectation - artificial excitement, unnaturalness in gestures, manners, excessive elation of speech. ].
Ability to speak and write well. The presentation should contain beauty, nobility and sophistication.
Education. Ability to write in prose and verse. A knowledge of ancient languages. However, in these pursuits, modesty and caution are preferable to a daring.
An ability to play musical instruments.
The ability to draw, a familiarity with the art of painting.
Baldassare Castiglione's book was an attempt to look at a typical person - a resident of Italy (in the 16th century) - from the outside and give recommendations for its improvement.
If the recommendations of Baldassare Castiglione were useful to Raffaello Sanzio, then we can talk about the art of the great artist to choose his friends and close acquaintances.
Someone can reflect on the rules of life and behavior of an oprichnik (or the another typical representative) at the tsar court of Ivan IV (of Russia). The book by the author from (of) that time on this theme, I, - alas, - did not find.
[MMDCCXXXI. The biography of Raffaello Sanzio turned out to be unexpectedly interesting. The note. - January 29, 2022.].
January 30, 2022 15:28
Translation from Russian into English: January 30, 2022 20:46
Владимир Владимирович Залесский 'Административный успех Рафаэля Санти в Риме XVI в. О книге графа Бальдассаре Кастильоне "Придворный". Заметка'.
{ 2763. Административный успех Рафаэля Санти в Риме XVI в. О книге графа Бальдассаре Кастильоне "Придворный". Заметка.
MMDCCXXXIII. The administrative success of Raffaello Sanzio in the Rome of 16th century. About The Book of the Courtier by Baldassare Castiglione. The note. }