English [ edit ]

Etymology [ edit ]

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 [ edit ]

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.

Further reading [ edit ]

Italian [ edit ]

Etymology [ edit ]

From sprezzare (“to despise”) +‎ -tura. In the sense of nonchalance used by Baldassare Castiglione in Il Cortegiano, published in 1528.

Pronunciation [ edit ]

Noun [ edit ]

sprezzatura f (plural sprezzature)

( music , art ) nonchalance sprezzatura 1528, Il Cortegiano : Baldassare Castiglione , “ XXVI ”, in [ … ] 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 [ edit ]

Further reading [ edit ]