Hello all -
First, a brief word of
introduction:
I am a graduate student at South Dakota State
University in Brookings, South Dakota, currently researching my thesis topic
which concerns the influence of Beatrice Cenci in American
literature.
Cenci was an Italian noble woman who, along with
her mother and brother, allegedly hired killers to murder her violent and
abusive father in the 1590's. In 1599 Beatrice was publicaly beheaded in
Rome. Her mother and brother were executed as
well.
My question for you is in regards to
a painting, originally attributed to Guido Reni, that was thought to be of "poor
Beatrice." One legend that I came across states that some years after
Beatrice's death, this mysterious painting surfaced and someone identified the
subject as "that poor Cenci girl." The name stuck. A copy of this
painting is at http://www.artepadova.com/eventi/Guercino/Guercino_2.htm
.
My initial research has revealed that art scholars
have proven that Reni was not the artist who painted the portrait, but I have
been unable to discern whether anyone has made any further discoveries/guesses
as to who might have painted the portrait or who the subject of the portrait
might be. I would appreciate any help any of you might be able to offer
me.
My second question is for those of you familiar
with the "Cenci portrait." Recently I ran across a copy of Johannes
Vermeer's portrait Girl With a Pearl Earring, and I found a striking
similarity with the girl in the "Cenci portrait." I am wondering if anyone
else has seen this similarity. You can view Girl With a Pearl
Earring at: http://www.mystudios.com/vermeer/12/vermeer-girl-pearl-earring.html
.
The research that I have done on Beatrice thus far
has been hit and miss. I have found few resources that
corroborate. It seems as if every author or researcher has a different
version of the legend and a different story about
the painting. I believe the painting is now housed in the
National Gallery of Art in Rome, but not all of my sources agree on even
that point! I would greatly appreciate any guidance any of you might
be able to offer me. Thank you in advance for your
assistance.
Sincerely,
Amy Einspahr