Cocktails with a Curator: Bronzino’s "Lodovico Capponi"

[@frickcollection]

FEATURED COCKTAIL: Aperol Spritz (Aperol, dry prosecco, sparkling water, orange or lemon wedge); the mocktail is sparkling water with orange blossom water. For the complete recipes, visit www.frick.org/cocktails-curator.

[@carolabruzzo4935]

The Frick Collection can’t wait!

[@sandypearl2202]

It's expected that you have the knowledge -- but to combine it with great storytelling makes the viewer experience that much more memorable. Thank you Aimee Ng.

[@pangaeuspress]

How pleasant to hear Aimee Ng! How refreshing to be reminded that there are still some intelligent, civilized, and articulate people left in these United States. God love her, and God save the Frick.

[@meggallucci5300]

Ms. Ng handles the delicate issue of the cod piece with aplomb.

[@bahhumbug9824]

Good call about the cameo. Knowing the story about his love affair being a secret for a period of time, it could be one of Bronzino's jokes to have it concealed the way it is with just a hint of identity because after all no secret is ever really a secret. The Met has an interesting video on KZbin (look up 'Among Rare Men') about Bronzino & his circle, One of his friends who was also a member of the Academy of the Humid, which Cosimo de Medici saw as a threat and had shut down, was Benedetto Varchi who aside from writing many lewd, coded burlesque poems, wrote a love poem (though some see it as asking for patronage) and a very lewd poem about Lodovico Capponi inferring he was also a homosexual. The line reads "a riccota cheese is better than a capon." According to the lecturer, in Tuscan burlesque language a capon was synonymous with catomite which is a derogatory term for a bottom. What the heck is going on in this poem to Lodovico Capponi? So knowing Bronzino ran with this kind of crowd, could this painting of a page be some sort of love offering of his own? In this case, "sorte" makes more sense as a plea in vain although Cappone was straight. As for why he chose, in his 50s, to represent himself as a young man: Vanity. In mid-life crisis he probably saw that era as when he peaked. Still happens today. Weird that more is known about this Page than Bronzino, a famous painter. Regardless, as Ms. Ng states, Lodovico, 500+ yrs later apparently still has many people in this thrall.

[@walterparsons6999]

This has been such a delightful, informative series. Thank you.

[@orlandonieves9617]

Spectacular painting and very insightful mini lecture! Thank you

[@grandreveler]

Really enjoyed this lecture, especially the part about how the sitter was identified. Thank you Aimee!

[@internationalartcentrefran4043]

Grazie mille Amy from New Zealand … a wonderful talk 🌹

[@lesleyg.8976]

This is my favorite painting, and Aperol Spritz is a favorite cocktail! I knew a bit of the history of the painting, but I learned more today. Thank you!

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

What a delightful episode Aimee! I imagine the young people you mention who see this marvelous work for the first time are amused to discover that Lodovico's "sword" is a very personal weapon indeed! 😉

[@bobnewmanknott3433]

Another gem from Ms Ng The insight together with information makes each of her presentations faultless . I cant wait until the 19th to take the virtual tour with her

[@maryjordan7649]

Love the art combined with history......portrait art is my favorite!

[@lenorejones8339]

Lodovico looks like Zuckerberg !

[@shardanette1]

And his ancestors probably passed through Italy at some point.

[@MindMosaic82]

Bronzino’s portrait of Lodovico Capponi is such a perfect example of the elegance and refinement of Mannerist portraiture. The way Bronzino captures the fabric, texture, and expression is masterful!

[@beverlyfletcher4458]

I would have thought the codpiece reached it's 'apogee' during the reign of Henry VIII; no-one could, or dared, to wear one like him. What an amazing likeness: you can see people like that walking around today. Thank you.

[@toffthe]

This is one of my favourite paintings. I think Bronzino is so underrated.

[@LockportDan]

"It grew to take on a life of it's own"? Indeed. Love your presentations. Will be at the Frick in December of 2024. Very excited.

[@fritzmasten7675]

I want to be in Florence now! Could someone please speak about why Bronzino's figures are almost always wall eyed?

[@bahhumbug9824]

Seems like the one in the Palazzo corrected that wall eye problem. Maybe that's why Ludovico was still fixated on Bronzino's portrait 30 yrs later.

[@miguelferreira9407]

Thank you so much, from Melbourne, Australia. I can’t wait to visit the Frick

[@kayleenlewis4229]

We first had this cocktail in Amsterdam on Kings Day! Love it! The dress is just so amazing. Lodovico is an interesting looking young man.the fabrics are so well done! another wonderful "evening" of art!

[@yunheekwon3565]

Happy to see you again, Aimee. I always enjoy hearing your wonderful storytelling on artwork. Thank you ^^

[@ritabiro5105]

Hello here am l also again thanks for your kindness to show me this nice noblr man.He looks a little bit serious and the costume is not too much fancy. His figure shows as having made some sports and therefore attractive.cio arridevrrvi grazia

[@ErnestSDavis1]

Thanks very much for this fascinating lecture! I am curious about this romantic story of Ludovico Capponi and Maddalena Vettori. Where can I find out more about it? There is a short account of it in the article on Capponi in the Italian Wikipedia, but it's not clear what their source is.

[@geraldinefitzpatrick1446]

I wnet to The Frick 30 years ago and remember it well. This series has been wonderful. Congratulations to all

[@jimmy155]

Until Aimee showed us the coin in his right hand, I thought it was a smartphone. I do love these wonderful programs from The Frick, a place of Happy Memories for me, having gone to Columbia College 1944-48. I was assigned "The Polish Rider" by Rembrandt to research and write a paper in Sophomore year. It turned me on to Art and museums.. I have returned many times, but now I am retired in Florida, and so glad I have lived into this modern era of technology. Brava Aimee!

[@maisie5695]

aimee, you are awesome. hooked on this series.

[@LutheranLiarNYC]

This is my favorite painting too. I visit it every time. If it moves, I find it.

[@clairekhalil3222]

Magnificent! Thank-you Amy.

[@MrZohreh100]

thank you Aimee I really enjoyed it.

[@danielbuttafuoco7928]

Aimee, beautifully done lecture. "Sorte" in Italian can also means "fate."

[@danielbuttafuoco7928]

sorry, I went back and you actually did say that. Maybe his "fate" to fall in love with the wrong person!

[@salassian3162]

I wonder how many cod pieces can be found in art. It's in a way a type of mask as is an element of mannerism.

[@marichristian1072]

A mask hides. A codpiece enhances and draws attention to the male genital.

[@Johnmartin-vz7yc]

Thank you for another informative and entertaining talk. Incidentally, for an example of how politically important (if not ironic in this case) the codpiece was in the 16th century have a look at the portraits of Henry V111!

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

Like so many men of his type (including Little Donnie), Henry the Pig would try anything to mitigate his pathetic lack of self-esteem.

[@bahhumbug9824]

It's not by Ms. Ng or Mr. Solomon but there is a Frick lecture on this KZbin channel by a Ms. Bridgeman about cloth and fashion in this era and it goes in depth about the slashes of the arm (in general, not of this painting) and yes, a lengthy discussion of the evolution of the codpiece, both of which Ms. Ng touches on here.

[@dawnjackson1802]

Thank you Amy Ng. Again you have opened up a window on an entire world previously not known to me. 🇨🇦

[@susprime7018]

He has lovely red curls. Is he holding a leather wallet? The cod piece to make up for the weak jaw or maybe that is just the elongated style of the painter.

[@kaloarepo288]

Cod pieces were all the rage during the late Renaissance period -look at the portrait of Henry VIII by Holbein or of the emperor Charles V by Titian.Just imagine if men wore a similar thing today -and we think they were prudes in the past!

[@corvandermerwe4405]

There is also a wonderful Moroni in the Brera with the subject showing an impressive cod piece.

[@marcust4238]

TY Ms. Ng

[@lesliegregg1228]

Helen clay fricks house here in pittsburgh carries on the lovely frick legacy.....bijou collection....as well as a car museum that i find surprisingly delightful

[@jyotsnakorgaonkar9621]

Very well fabricated. With history,information & love story. Thanks

[@johnoriordan2469]

Aimee, You should consider the possibility that the 'cameo' he holds is a miniature version of his earlier portrait. That would tie rather nicely with the notion's around identity and and personality. The cameo is partly concealed -as our past is. Which is the 'true' self? Is it that of our prime, or the self of our significant achievements, or our ultimate end. When we were young and optimistic, we wondered which of our own selves would go to heaven. I think Brozino (the poet & painter) is saying both will.

[@lesliegregg1228]

Fabulous.....oh, how i miss museums ....timed entry not the same

[@barbarajohnson1442]

Wonderful! Now to get Aperol,(?) I have the Prosecco, and hopefully we get another warm day soon. I love this artist (and my keyboard keeps changing his name to Bronzing!!!) Anyway, I remember what an influence he had on Ingres. That green landscape like cloth backdrop, with the black and white is so powerful. He did use such jazzy intense colored backgrounds, they feel contemporary. Thanks again for your insightful descriptions.

[@vanmour]

Well done! Why did you not invoke the term, Mannerism? You said Renaissance portrait at the beginning but no further mention. Is this, and Bronzino, not the "typical" mannerist artist? Cheers.

[@lovepeace3041]

Thank you, Ms. Ng. What a pleasure to share a cocktail with lovely you. You bring out the best of COVID. And I am proud to say that I, too, am a friend of the dear, if a touch arrogant, Ludovico.

[@MM-wi5dn]

Fabulous lecture. Where do the other painting you speak about reside? Would love to hear that when you described them. Thank you. Also I cannot find the Palazzo Capponi Vitorie hotel on TripAdvisor. How do I find it?

[@williamwoody7607]

This is the first renaissance painter who reminds me of Bob Dylan. Nice exposition.

[@candiceclousegarretson9638]

Lovely!Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@yaelkamah9785]

What a wonderful lecture! Thank you very much!

[@thegardengazer]

Fantastic presentation! Thank you, Aimee.

[@davidc5191]

"Allegory of Love" is my favorite painting of his, combining both the elegant and subversive. as Aimee would put it.

[@ApesHill-BSI]

Aimée is a delight! She speaks so well, she knows her subject and makes it come alive for her audience. Thank you, I always look forward to next talk.

[@carolabruzzo4935]

A lovely episode! And I look forward to Virtual Gala!

[@pattersondsmccd]

Thank you! What a wonderful series this is.

[@Mrbriankeeler]

Grazie tanto. Io ho imparato qui.

[@blainemason8218]

Great episode of an outstanding series! Thanks!

[@cristie2501]

Ciao from Firenze. I really enjoyed this presentation. Grazie mille 😊

[@cynthiachaplincamput8813]

this was a fabulous talk - one of the best in the series. thanks!

[@huahindan]

Thank you for this

[@elie-annechevrier9854]

Great pairing.

[@Amc933]

Excellent!

[@SandyEmma2112ProductionsOrg]

Bravo!

[@tomson70]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@XX-gy7ue]

please , someday , speak about the very odd color of the background !

[@corvandermerwe4405]

The green reminds me of the lady's dress in the Arnolfini painting

[@XX-gy7ue]

@@corvandermerwe4405 , yes I can see it , but lighter here , still I wonder about the truth in the color we see on the internet , the hue and intensity too ???