Parmigianino (1503-1540)
Autoritratto entro uno specchio convesso (Self-portrait in a Convex Mirror)
c.1523–1524
Oil on panel, diameter 24.4 cm
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
After his arrival in Rome, the young artist gave his self-portrait painted on a curved piece of wood to Pope Clement VII in order to win over the great patron for commissions. As modest as the format and restrained colourfulness are, as witty is the idea and as high is the claim: the confusion of “mirror or picture” captures the essence of modern painting, which is deception and illusion. (KHM)