Glossary
Complex Compositions
Mannerist artworks often feature crowded, asymmetrical, and multi-figured arrangements that can appear chaotic or disorienting, departing from the balanced layouts of the High Renaissance.
Example:
Bronzino's 'Allegory with Venus and Cupid' is a prime example of complex compositions, with intertwined figures and symbolic objects filling the canvas.
Departure from Classical Ideals
Mannerism consciously moved away from the Renaissance emphasis on harmony, balance, and naturalism, embracing artificiality and subjective expression instead.
Example:
Unlike the serene balance of Raphael, Mannerist artists marked a clear departure from classical ideals by favoring instability and dramatic tension.
Distortion of Space and Perspective
A Mannerist technique where artists manipulate traditional rules of perspective and spatial recession, leading to ambiguous or unsettling environments.
Example:
In some Mannerist works, the viewer experiences a distortion of space and perspective, making it difficult to determine the true depth or scale of the scene.
Elongated and Twisted Figures
A characteristic of Mannerist art where human forms are stretched, distorted, or contorted, often creating a sense of unease or dynamic movement.
Example:
In Parmigianino's 'Madonna with the Long Neck,' the Virgin Mary's neck and limbs are noticeably elongated and twisted figures, a hallmark of the Mannerist style.
Exaggeration
A Mannerist technique involving the amplification of features, muscles, or expressions beyond natural proportions to enhance drama or emotional impact.
Example:
Tintoretto's 'Last Supper' uses dramatic lighting and exaggeration in the figures' gestures to heighten the emotional intensity of the moment.
Intellectual and Self-Aware
Mannerist art is often characterized by its sophisticated use of allegory, symbolism, and artistic self-reference, appealing to a learned audience.
Example:
Many Mannerist paintings are highly intellectual and self-aware, incorporating hidden meanings and classical allusions that require scholarly interpretation.
Intense Emotional Expression
Mannerist figures often display heightened or extreme emotional states, conveyed through dramatic gestures, facial expressions, and contorted poses.
Example:
The figures in Rosso Fiorentino's 'Deposition' convey intense emotional expression through their anguished faces and dramatic body language.
Mannerism
An artistic style that emerged in the late High Renaissance, reacting against its harmony and balance by emphasizing artificiality, exaggeration, and emotional intensity.
Example:
Artists like El Greco often employed Mannerism to create dramatic and emotionally charged scenes, such as his 'View of Toledo' with its turbulent skies.
Renaissance
A period in European history marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity, characterized by a renewed interest in classical culture and a flourishing of art, science, and philosophy.
Example:
The Renaissance saw a rebirth of humanism, leading to masterpieces like Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa' and Michelangelo's 'David'.
Unusual Color Combinations
A Mannerist characteristic where artists use bright, clashing, or artificial colors that are not true to life, contributing to the style's sense of artifice and emotional intensity.
Example:
Pontormo's 'Deposition from the Cross' features striking and unusual color combinations, with pastel pinks and blues that create an otherworldly atmosphere.