To have good manners is a skill that requires an effort to learn the stock rules of conduct and at the same time an ability to apply them with a salient ease. In other words, this art consists of the dexterous use of learnt codes. The ability to control oneself is one of the most valuable qualities of civilized man and this is one of the ways to show that we posses it. But there is a more pragmatic side to it. Good manners are undeniably a sign of appurtenance. Knowing how to behave in a certain moment means we are a part of the narrow circle of high society. That is why, the more natural we are in applying the acquired rules, the more seriously we confirm that we have our rightful place in this society.

The connection between human behavior and art, sculpture, music and literature was closest during the Italian Renaissance. Their touching point was exactly in the command of la bella maniera. This was the period in which the term “good manners” was coined. The nobles, as well as the artists were required to express in their behavior or works that they possessed la bella maniera. Thanks to their talent, they must overcome the difficulties in the respective art. This is judged by the naturalness exuded by the work. The most striking example of this artistic ability is Michelangelo. It is enough to look at “The Creation of Adam” to see the combination of natural ease and deep knowledge of art.

In the aristocratic court of Lorenzo Di Medici the ladies were expected to have artistic behavior with distinct elegance. Parmigiano's “Madonna” is a good illustration of this exigence.

Human conduct was considered an autonomous art which also strives for perfection. Many books on the “good manners” started to appear, genuine instructions for the “perfect courtier”. Libro del Cortegiano by Castiglione and Galateo by Della Casa had enormous success all throughout Europe but mostly in the French court during the seventeenth century, the golden age of good manners, especially during the reign of Louis XIV.

Even after this superficial review of the Italian Renaissance we can see that to this day we stay linked with it. The tenet born in the sixteenth century is still valid: show your knowledge of savoir-vivre with elegant ease and naturalness, because this is the key to success.

Eva Kouvandjieva Napoleone
Villa Pierrefeu Institute, Montreux, Switzerland