Sprezzatura

Sprezzatura ([sprettsaˈtuːra]) is an Italian word that refers to a kind of effortless grace, the art of making something difficult look easy, or maintaining a nonchalant demeanor while performing complex tasks.

During his stay in Spain as Ambassador of the Holy See (1524–1529), and inspired by the Spanish court, Castiglione wrote The Book of the Courtier[6] as a portrayal of an idealized courtier—one who could successfully keep the support of his ruler.

[7] However, the courtier who had sprezzatura managed to make these difficult tasks look easy – and, more to the point, not appear calculating, a not-to-be-discounted asset in a milieu commonly informed by ambition, intrigue, etc.

According to Professor Wayne Rebhorn, courtiers essentially had to put on a performance for their peers[9] and those who employed sprezzatura created the impression that they completely mastered the roles they played.

Howard Wescott and other scholars have also noted the negative aspects of making difficult tasks seem effortless, namely, that in practice, sprezzatura involved an ability to trick people convincingly.

"Inspired by his teacher Perugino's rendering of the same subject, Raphael's painting can be found to differ primarily from its model by its unique awareness of the importance of sprezzatura.

These variations, in addition to the deliberate avoidance of any dramatic highlights, help to explain why it is that we feel the "nonchalance" of Raphael's Joseph in contrast to the almost hieratic frozen grace of Perugino's.