----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2001 5:26
AM
Subject: Beatrice Cenci
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