mannerist style characteristics

Mannerist Style Characteristics Elongated bodies or body parts Paintings appear to be stretched out Focus on spiritual aspect of art Meant mainly for the elite and wealthy,

not meant for the general public

Mannerism

Madonna with the Long Neck

1534 – 1540 Florence, Italy Artist: Parmagianino Mannerist style

preferred distorted figures; elongated; artificial

Figures crowded into left side – viewer is drawn to different areas of painting

Not just one focus

Parmagianino,Madonna with the Long Neck,1534-40

Little guy

and this column is for what???

Quite a crowd

KEY IMAGE

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Jacopo da PontormoDescent from the CrossCapponi Chapel, Santa Felicità, Florence, Italy1525-1528oil on wood10 ft. 3 in. x 6 ft. 6 in.Considered his masterpiece

Jacopo PontormoDescent from the Cross1525-2811’ x 6.5’ oil on wood

Mannerism Allegory with Venus

and Cupid 1546 Florence, Italy Artist: Agnolo Bronzino Court painter for

Cosimo I de Medici Mannerism was meant

for nobility to enjoy not the general public

Space full of figures Shows an oddly erotic

encounter Bodies elongated and

distorted

MannerismLast Supper1592 – 1594Venice, ItalyArtist: Tintoretto If it weren’t for the

halo, Jesus would be hard to find

Perspective leads away from Christ

Darker version Judas in traditional

spot on opposite side of table

Paolo VeroneseChrist in the House of Levi1573oil on canvas18 ft. 6 in. x 42 ft. 6 in.The Venetian use of blue is still key in Mannerism – had to change name of painting

Paolo VeroneseTriumph of Veniceca. 1585oil on canvasapproximately 29 ft. 8 in. x 19 ft.Ceilings became the perfect place for illusion paintings

Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco)The most important Spanish artist

of this period was Greek.1541 – 1614.He deliberately distorts &

elongates his figures, and seats them in a lurid, unearthly atmosphere.

He uses an agitated, flickering light.

He ignores the rules of perspective, and heightens the effect by areas of brilliant color.

His works were a fitting expression of the Spanish Counter-Reformation.

El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulous)Mary Magdalene in Penitence1577oil on canvas42 1/2 x 39 7/8 in. El Greco was born in Greece, studied in Italy and painted in Spain – as such he is a unique painter in many ways

El Greco

Christ in Agony on the Cross

1600s

El Greco

Portrait of aCardinal

1600

El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulous)View of Toledo1586oil on canvas47 3/4 x 42 3/4 in. The most famous of the mannerist painters

El Greco’s, The Burial of Count Orgaz, 1586-1588

El Greco’s, The Burial of Count Orgaz, 1586-1588 (details)

El Greco’s, The Burial of Count

Orgaz, 1578-1580

Mannerism The Burial of Count

Orgaz 1586 Toledo, Spain Artist: El Greco His masterpiece Local aristocracy

attends at bottom as Christ and Saints welcome his soul at the top

Elongated forms are typical

Mannerism Saltcellar of Francis I 1539 – 1543 Paris, France Artist: Benvenuto

Cellini An ornamental salt

and pepper holder for the king of France

Salt is represented by the sea and pepper by the earth

Gold and enamel

MannerismPerseus1545 – 1554Florence, ItalyArtist: CelliniBlood drips from

the beheaded Medusa as Perseus holds it up triumphantly

A masterpiece of Mannerist art

Mannerism Vestibule of

Laurentian Library 1524 – 1559 Florence, Italy Artists: Michelangelo,

Vasari & Ammanati Higher than long or

wide Niches taper up –

smaller at bottom than top

Same with pilasters, columns set into the wall

3 separate sets of steps but 1 doorway

MannerismVilla Rotunda1567 – 1570Vicenza, ItalyArtist: PalladioSymmetry was

crucial to Palladio, even the gardens are symmetrical

All 4 sides are identical

Monticello in Virginia, Jefferson’s home was based in this building

Giacomo della Portafaçade of Il GesùRome, Italyca. 1575-1584Still in basic Renaissance style – just longer than necessary

PalladioScala Ovata Basilica

PalladioTeatro Olimpico

San Giorgio Maggiore

Mannerism in musicExtreme chromaticismEx: Prophetiae Sibyllarum, by Orlando de Lassus,

c. 1550

Summary – Northern and Late Renaissance

• RELIGION/POLITICS – Reformation; much political & religious violence• IDEAS – a skeptical Humanism• ART – a realism of everyday life: PORTRAITS,

LANDSCAPES; oil painting, Mannerism• MUSIC – conservative perfection (Palestrina) &

new approaches (madrigals)