sprezzatura

English

Borrowed from Italian sprezzatura (“nonchalance”), which was coined in 1528 by Baldassare Castiglione; the term gained currency in English in the mid-20th century, often to describe art.

sprezzatura (usually uncountable, plural sprezzaturas)

(art) The art of performing a difficult task so gracefully that it looks effortless.
- 1959, Baldassare Castiglione, Charles S. Singleton (translator), The Book of the Courtier [1528, Il Cortegiano], Chapter 26 2¶,
  have found quite a universal rule which in this matter seems to me valid above all others, and in all human affairs whether in word or deed: and that is to avoid affectation in every way possible as though it were some very rough and dangerous reef; and (to pronounce a new word perhaps) to practice in all things a certain Sprezzatura [nonchalance], so as to conceal all art and make whatever is done or said appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it.

FWOTD – 16 August 2016

From sprezzare (“to despise”). In the sense of nonchalance used by Baldassare Castiglione in Il Cortegiano, published in 1528.

sprezzatura f (plural sprezzature)

(music, art) nonchalance; sprezzatura
- 1528, Baldassare Castiglione, “XXVI”, in Il Cortegiano:
  […] trovo una regula universalissima, la qual mi par valer circa questo in tutte le cose umane che si facciano o dicano piú che alcuna altra, e ciò è fuggir quanto piú si po, e come un asperissimo e pericoloso scoglio, la affettazione; e, per dir forse una nova parola, usar in ogni cosa una certa sprezzatura, che nasconda l’arte e dimostri ciò che si fa e dice venir fatto senza fatica e quasi senza pensarvi.
  […] have found quite a universal rule which in this matter seems to me valid above all others, and in all human affairs whether in word or deed: and that is to avoid affectation in every way possible as though it were some very rough and dangerous reef; and (to pronounce a new word perhaps) to practice in all things a certain Sprezzatura [nonchalance], so as to conceal all art and make whatever is done or said appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it.