High Renaissance art was seen as graceful, balanced, and natural. From the later years of this the High Renaissance, around 1520, came the Mannerism period. The art of Mannerism was very different. Mannerism is known more for its artificial qualities as apposed to the usual naturalistic qualities. Vasari, a Mannerist artist, described this period as, “le maniera moderna”, or the “modern style”. This modern style would emphasize elongated proportions of its figures, using a variety of clashing colors. The themes seen in Mannerist paintings would represent a combination of Classicism, Christianity, and mythology. The two Mannerist paintings I have chosen to compare are Parmigianino’s Madonna with the Long Neck, and Bronzino’s Allegory with Venus and Cupid. Both these paintings show the unique qualities of a mannerist painting. Qualities like The elongated proportions, the clashing colors, and obscure imagery.
In Parmigianino’s Madonna with the Long Neck Mannerism is seen clearly in the elongated proportions. We see The Virgin Mary holding a rather large baby Jesus. Her elongated legs and lowered torso contrast with her swan like neck creating a look of gracefulness and beauty. As she holds Jesus it looks as if he is close to slipping from her grip. His arms are spread wide as if he is relaxed positioned the way he is. The angel to the far right was then drawn to attention with her leg extending out towards the front showing yet another elongated limb.
In Bronzino’s Allegory with Venus and Cupid the elongated limbs are not as noticeable. We see the awkward positioning of the characters around each other, and the positioning of their elongated limbs, but this painting focuses more on the obscure imagery of the figures. All the figures have been crowded into the foreground of the image. The majority of the figures have been eluded to represent a different character in the story. The two figures in the center are said to be cupid and his mother Venus. Venus is holding the golden apple she had won, and cupid has his back curved to display his wings. These two are easily distinguishable. Both are nude, and bathed in a white light that creates a porcelain skin texture. The man in the top right corner can be assumed to be Time because of the hourglass behind him. The identities of the remaining figures are less certain. Their emotions and the obscure imagery used helps to identify what they represent. The old woman for instance is seen as envy for her expression of anguish.
Both Madonna, and The Allegory are Mannerist Paintings depicting different Mannerism Characteristics. The clashing colors of both paintings create contrast amongst the figures to distinguish their features. The most noticeable characteristic in both images is the elongated figures. How the figures are proportioned or eloquently wrapped around one another creates a unity not usually seen in common art. The Mannerism Period was a time for distortion that still created beauty. Art took on a darker tone, and the realism of the Renaissance style was replaced by something more adventurous, if you will.
I remember seeing a commentary on "Madonna with the Long Neck" on a blog called "Ugly Renaissance Babies." The blog writer wrote, "Forget 'Madonna with the Long Neck.' What about 'Baby Jesus of the Long Everything?!?'" It's so true! Baby Jesus is huge.
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I enjoyed reading your post, it was very interesting. I liked that you pointed out how baby Jesus is nearly falling out of Mary's lap. I also liked the insight about the figures in Bronzino’s Allegory with Venus and Cupid. Besides Venus and Cupid the other figures seems almost random but it makes sense that the old man is father time with the hourglass behind him.
ReplyDeleteI like how you said that “the realism of the Renaissance style was replaced by something more adventurous”. I think it really describes what they were doing. I think naturalism was pushed so much that people got very tired of it. What's funny is that they didn't do small changes; artists went in and made a clear statement that they had fallen out of love with the natural style of the Early and High Renaissance. Although I don't think the Mannerist style is elegant, it is nice to see that the Renaissance was not all about realistic artistic conventions. Perhaps the Mannerist style was the vague beginning of abstract art.
ReplyDeleteGood job on highlighting the elongated limbs, they didn't seem as noticeable until you elaborated on it. I think The Allegory coloring is far more drastic than Madonna, it really makes you emphasize your focus on the figures in the middle.
ReplyDeleteI love this! you wrote wonderfully and it was really easy to read. :) I love how you commented on what you thought the reasoning was for the creation of the manneristic style. I never thought of it as a more adventurous way of painting and depicting things. Do you think perhaps as well people may have thought of High renaissance paintings as some people think of photographs now? did they begin to think they were too realistic to be art anymore? interesting post!!
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