The Nevada Museum of Art touted its rare U.S. exhibition of Raphael's "Lady With the Veil" with the slogan: "Reno's Got the Girl."
Now, the museum proclaims "Hello Beautiful" all around town as Titian's "La Bella: Woman in a Blue Dress" arrives for its first display outside Europe.
Tiziano Vecellio was a premiere Venetian artist, and "La Bella" is universally considered one of his masterpiece portraits. She sits in a stunning dress, adorned with luxurious accessories. She possesses the same power as the Mona Lisa or the "Lady With the Veil." She can mesmerize.
Who she was is anybody's guess. All that is known is that her portrait was commissioned by the Duke of Urbino around 1536. The Duke, Francesco Maria I della Rovere, commanded the armies of Florence, the Papal States, and eventually the Republic of Venice. What remains is a missive he sent inquiring about the progress "of that portrait of that woman in a blue dress" and it was clear he eagerly awaited the picture's completion.
Still, exactly who she was remains a mystery. She could have been a courtesan, as some have suggested. She could have been the Duke's mistress. She could have been the mother of another subject of Titian at the time, Eleanora d'Este (the mother's "official" portrait in the Uffizi suggests otherwise). She could have been Titian's own daughter, Lavinia. Or she could simply have been an anonymous woman Titian used to demonstrate his skills before being hired by the della Roveres.
Probably she was not very important. After all, the Duke inquired about "that portrait of the woman" and there is little warmth in that. She may have been nobody at all, given her similarity of face to other Titian portraits such as "The Venus of Urbino," "Woman in a Fur Coat" and "Woman With a Plumed Hat."
Whoever she was, she knew how to dress or at least Titian knew how to dress her. Her gown is made from high-quality azure damask with gold embroidery. Her velvet sleeves are dyed a deep purple-red and have strips of sable. She wears gold, rubies and pearls.
The dress is re-created in its entirety for the exhibit, built by Heather Piper of Very Merry Seamstress in Lima, N.Y. It stands in the middle of a room in the headquarters of Arte Italia, located in a historic building a block from the Nevada Museum of Art. Most of what accompanies the exhibition, like the explanatory panels, video and books are housed in this case at Arte Italia. The portrait stands alone in the museum.
Such an unusual arrangement has its benefits. Arte Italia was organized to pay tribute to the Italian Americans who first settled the area. It combines the culture and cuisine of Italy, giving all of its proceeds to Reno's St. Vincent's dining room for the needy.
In addition to sponsoring "La Bella," which has arrived from the Palatine Gallery of the Pitti Palace in Florence, Arte Italia also brings in chefs from Italy to prepare their regional cuisine and to conduct classes.
The biggest benefit of the partnership is that those who want to see the painting can visit Arte Italia first, free of charge, and receive a voucher to enter the museum, also free of charge.
When encountering "La Bella" for the first time, what is most striking is the luminescence of it. The painting recently underwent technical analysis and restoration, and thick layers of varnish were removed.
To read about the conservation is like encountering a scientific manual for the first time. Noninvasive molecular analysis and fiber-optic spectroscopy were used, determining the original composition of the blue paint used for the dress (azurite, lapis lazuli and calcium oxalate, to be specific). The analysis also allowed extensive knowledge of Titian's technique.
Arte Italia is at 442 Flint St. on the corner with California Avenue. Visit here first, receive the complimentary pass and walk one block east to the corner of Hill and Liberty where the Nevada Museum of Art is.
Come at noon Nov. 11, and take in a presentation by Carolyn Runnells at the museum on "Textiles and Costumes of the Italian Renaissance." It's $5.
Beautiful Wednesdays at Arte Italia are scheduled 11 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Oct. 19 and Nov. 16, a chance to tour the facility, be treated to some tastes of Italy, and see a demonstration by regional Italian chefs. Admission is free, but reservations are required (775-333-0313).
LA BELLA
What: The subject of Titian's "La Bella: Woman in a Blue Dress" remains a mystery, but like the Mona Lisa, this painting has captured the fascination of many generations. Wearing a stunning dress adorned with luxurious accessories, she is at the Nevada Museum of Art. A companion exhibit at Arte Italia provides explanatory panels, video and books.
When: The museum and Arte Italia are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays. The exhibit continues through Nov. 20.
Where: Nevada Museum of Art, 169 W. Liberty St., Reno; Arte Italia, 442 Flint St., Reno
Information: (775) 329-3333, www.nevadaart.org
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