Before: High Renaissance
After: Baroque
MANNERISM
SLIDES #11-13
MANNERISM (15201600)
• “Mannerism” is the period between the High Renaissance
and the Baroque (1520-1600 AD)
• Works from this period show more emotion than before
• Mannerism uses some of the Renaissance characteristics but
abandons others
• Mannerism is from the term “di mariera,” referring to a work of
art done according to an acquired style rather than depicting
nature - often the art was very individual in style, but there are
some shared characteristics…
•
How to identify Mannerism…
Renaissance:
• Harmony / perfection
(e.g. Golden Mean)
• Realistic but idealized human
anatomy (based on antiquity)
• Linear Perspective
• Contrapposto – natural pose
• Chiaroscuro (subtle use of
lights and darks to show depth)
• Organized compositions
Mannerism:
• Complex characters /
compositions / subjects
• Dramatic, theatrical, and
sometimes overly stylized
• Crisp and Frozen shapes
• Muscular and / or elongated
figures (exaggerated bodies)
• Distorted / strange perspective
views (not linear perspective)
• Figures are serpentinata
(serpent-like) / complex poses
• Use of dramatic and / or
unrealistic lighting effects
Slide # 11:
El Greco.
The Burial of Count Orgaz
(1586) Oil on canvas
What technical
elements do you see?
What Renaissance
aspects do you see?
What Mannerist
aspects do you see?
Artist:
His name means
“the Greek”
Composition:
Artist divides
composition by
the celestial /
terrestrial worlds
Places himself in
the work (7th
figure in from the
left)
Uses triangular
composition
Dramatic lighting
(chiaroscuro)
Slide #12
Parmagianino. Madonna with the Long Neck.
(1534-1540 AD). Oil on canvas.
What distinct features identify this work as a
clear example of Mannerism as opposed to a
High Renaissance work?
• Triangular composition
• Elongated arms, legs, fingers, bodies, and
neck - his is done to give the body
“elegance”
• Artist of this time seemed more interested
in they style than the subject matter, trying
to be different in his approach
Are there any other strange things you
notice about the piece?
How about…
•…the scantily dressed angel?
•…the small figure in the back?
•…the Christ child?
Details…
Slide #13
Giambologna. Abduction of the Sabine
Woman. (1583 AD) Marble.
How is this Mannerism?
How does this piece show technical
advances beyond those of Michelangelo in
terms of sculpture?
Meaning of the Work:
Based on the story of Roman invading their
neighbors, the Sabines, in order to obtain
wives so that the population of Rome
(under its founder, Romulus) could continue
and thrive.
What makes the
following works
Mannerism?