la retenue

21:19 Jul 9, 2018 

Vassari does not hide his restraint in judging the importance of the gaze in Giotto's representation of feelings

11:57 Jul 7, 2018 

Charles writes:
"What it really seems to be saying is that Vasari doesn't think much of Giotto's eyes but is being tactful about it. So it's not so much that his words do not hide his reticence but that his words do not hide the fact that he is restraining himself: his reticence does not hide his reservations."

I read the passage slightly differently and think it means that Vasari's words do not hide what he really thinks, i.e. not "the fact that he is restraining himself", but what it is that he was restraining himself from writing directly. So the "retenue" is what is held back, rather than the action of holding it back.

21:11 Jul 6, 2018 

I have seen it used in this way, rather with the sense of "could hardly contain his excitement" (or not!) That perhaps makes it easier to see the 'contain' / 'restrain' / 'hold back' notion.

20:38 Jul 6, 2018 

I see your point. Lack of enthusiasm was what I thought it might mean, but I wasn't sure whether "retenue" could have that sense.

19:40 Jul 6, 2018 

I think 'retenue' here has the sense of 'not entirely unbridled enthusiasm' — he has grave doubts about this point, and makes it abundantly clear in his words.
In that sense, I think the idea of 'reservations' is what is needed, but I think one can also say in EN that someone is "rather reticent about something" when it actually means they have serious doubts.

15:16 Jul 6, 2018 

It's quite true that "retenue" really means (self)-restraint, but I think it might need a bit of tweaking, because to say that this passage from Vasari does not hide/conceal his reticence sounds a bit paradoxical to me. What it really seems to be saying is that Vasari doesn't think much of Giotto's eyes but is being tactful about it. So it's not so much that his words do not hide his reticence but that his words do not hide the fact that he is restraining himself: his reticence does not hide his reservations. At least, so it seems to me. I find "retenue" a bit odd in this particular context.

By the way, I've found this text online, in academia.edu, and it was uploaded by an Italian who, when googled, seemss to be a translator. So I wonder whether it's a translation of an Italian original.

10:46 Jul 6, 2018 

"Reservations" have to do with doubts, but "retenue" means "self-restraint" or "reticence", so "The passage clearly expresses/shows Vasari's reticence about...". Since he did not like the way Giotto painted eyes, he controls his feelings and reactions, so as not to hurt or shock for example. That's how I read it - his ability to control himself.

10:29 Jul 6, 2018 

I think your rendition is fine. You can use "restraint" if you want to stay close to the source.