Mannerism (1525 – 1600)
Mannerism - from the Italian word “maniera” which means style or manner
- Originally a derogatory term given to painters who painted in a manner
that imitated aspects of Raphael’s and Michelangelo’s works
Despite the reason for its name, Mannerist works are refined, sophisticated and
technically accomplished; they are deliberately stylized as they use bizarre and fantastical
imagery.
Characteristics:
 Crisp and frozen shapes
 Spaceless landscapes
 Peculiar perspective
 Elongated bodies and small heads
 Distorted & turbulent (chaotic) figures
 Tormented expressions
 Dreamlike worlds
 Nervous sensation
Although these are characteristics of Mannerism, artists much like today’s artists,
followed their own styles and did not necessarily demonstrate all of the above traits.
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El Greco (1541 – 1614)
Artwork (page 289)
El Greco, Resurrection, 1597 – 1604
 His real name is Domenikos Theotocopolous, El Greco (The Greek) is his
nickname
 Painted in Spain, but studied first in Venice with Tintoretto and knew Titian.
Later in Rome, he became enthralled with Raphael and Michelangelo’s work.
 Therefore, his style is a combination of Byzantine (Greek influence) Venetian
painting and Italian Mannerism
Characteristics:
 Intense emotion
 Colour is important
 Strong sense of movement
 Elongated, distorted figures
 “Flickering” light
In Resurrection:
 Christ appears to float toward heaven.
 Soldiers are flung apart by the power of His Resurrection.
 Elongated figures and thin limbs fill most of the space.
 The upward thrust of their bodies moves the eye up toward Jesus.
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This painting demonstrates El Greco’s religious fervour and his primary concern
with emotional expression, rather than realism.
Sofonisba Anguissola (1535 – 1625)
Artwork
Sofonisba Anguissola, Self-Portrait, date unknown.

The first female artist during the Renaissance to achieve international acclaim and
patronage.
 A child prodigy - received attention from Michelangelo!
 She became court painter to Philip II of Spain.
 Introduced Genre painting - capturing everyday moments - into portraiture.
Characteristics:
 Portraits are informal
 Poses are natural
 Genre painting - everyday moments like family photos
 People are painted in a similar style, with eyes which resemble those of
Anguissola.
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Tintoretto (1518-1594)
Artwork
Tintoretto, Christ at the Sea of Galilee, ca. 1580
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Venetian painter
The most dramatic painter of the 16th century
Created his compositions by arranging small models on stages and suspended
some from wires to achieve accurate foreshortening
Characteristics:
 Huge paintings on canvas that spanned walls
 Soaring and dashing figures
 Mostly religious figures
 Effect of a night scen illuminated with flashes of light was achieved by first
painting bright colours and adding intense darks and highlights.
 Brushstrokes less controlled than Titian
 Often uses bluish-green hues
 Elongated figures and flickering lights
Parmigianino
Artwork
Parmigianino, Madonna with Long Neck, 1535
 Francesco Mazzola also known as Parmigianino (nickname “the little one from
Parma”)
Characteristics
 Elongation of forms to create elegance and grace
 Interested in distorted form
 Selected lighting
 Sfumato lighting
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Giovanni Bologna
Artwork
Bologna, Abduction of the Sabine Woman, 1583.

Originally from Northern Europe, Jean Boulogne changed his name to Giovanni
Bologna.
 Most original sculptors since Michelangelo (and until Bernini)
Carved from a single block of Marble (like Michelangelo)
In Abduction of the Sabine Woman the central muscular figure carries away the Sabine
woman, while her father crouches in defeat.
Characteristics:
 Carved from a single block of Marble (like Michelangelo)
 Figures are interwoven in a spiraling composition, similar to Mannerist paintings.
 Flailing limbs create a feeling of violent action and tension.
 There is no front or back to this statue, as in past sculpture. Rather, the viewer
must move around it to see the complete work.