Laura
Collection: Houston Public Library (HPL)
1914
Marble
Location:
Houston Public Library Central Branch - Julia Ideson, Laura, 1914
550 McKinney St.
Houston, TX 77002
About the Artwork:
Laura (1914)
by unknown
A bust is a sculpture of the torso of a notable person. This marble bust is titled “Laura” since it is based on the Laura of Francesco Petrarca’s poetry, notably a collection of 366 sonnets titled “Il Canzoniere” inspired by his obsession for one woman. Petrarca was an Italian scholar and poet who lived between 1304 and 1374 and, according to legend, saw and instantly fell in love with a woman named "Laura" in the church of Sainte-Claire d'Avignon in 1327. In his book “Secretum,” Petrarca explains that Laura refused him since she was already married to another man. Though it is debated on who exactly Laura is, Petrarca nonetheless put his feelings into love poems that describe her as having “blonde curling hair,” “bright eyes whose loving sting pierces,” and a “brow [that] Enthrones in perfect beauty like a star…” This bust participates in a tradition of artists recreating Laura from these descriptions, some dating back to 1487 through sculptures, drawings, and paintings. Note the bust’s colors, including red, gold, and brown coloring on marble, to create a fuller portrait. This Laura turns her head to her left, calmly looking off into the distance.
Laura (1914)
por desconocido
Laura (1914)
by unknown
A bust is a sculpture of the torso of a notable person. This marble bust is titled “Laura” since it is based on the Laura of Francesco Petrarca’s poetry, notably a collection of 366 sonnets titled “Il Canzoniere” inspired by his obsession for one woman. Petrarca was an Italian scholar and poet who lived between 1304 and 1374 and, according to legend, saw and instantly fell in love with a woman named "Laura" in the church of Sainte-Claire d'Avignon in 1327. In his book “Secretum,” Petrarca explains that Laura refused him since she was already married to another man. Though it is debated on who exactly Laura is, Petrarca nonetheless put his feelings into love poems that describe her as having “blonde curling hair,” “bright eyes whose loving sting pierces,” and a “brow [that] Enthrones in perfect beauty like a star…” This bust participates in a tradition of artists recreating Laura from these descriptions, some dating back to 1487 through sculptures, drawings, and paintings. Note the bust’s colors, including red, gold, and brown coloring on marble, to create a fuller portrait. This Laura turns her head to her left, calmly looking off into the distance.
Laura (1914)
por desconocido
Un busto es una escultura del torso de una persona ilustre. Este busto de mármol se titula “Laura” porque está basado en la Laura de la poesía de Francesco Petrarca, en particular en una colección de 366 sonetos titulada “Il Canzoniere,” inspirada en su obsesión por una mujer. Petrarca fue un erudito y poeta italiano que vivió entre 1304 y 1374 y, según la leyenda, vio y se enamoró instantáneamente de una mujer llamada "Laura" en la iglesia de Sainte-Claire d'Avignon en 1327. En su libro “Secretum,” Petrarca explica que Laura lo rechazó porque ya estaba casada con otro hombre. Aunque se debate quién es exactamente Laura, Petrarca puso sus sentimientos en poemas de amor que la describen como de “cabello rubio y rizado,” “ojos brillantes cuyo aguijón amoroso penetra,” y una “ceja [que] entroniza en perfecta belleza como una estrella…” Este busto forma parte de una tradición de artistas que recrean a Laura a partir de estas descripciones, algunas de las cuales datan de 1487 mediante esculturas, dibujos, y pinturas. Observe los colores del busto, incluyendo rojo, dorado, y marrón sobre mármol, para crear un retrato más completo. Esta Laura gira la cabeza hacia la izquierda, mirando serenamente a lo lejos.