High Renaissance and Mannerism in Northern Europe and Spain

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1. What are the major characteristics of Mannerist art and architecture? Select an Italian Mannerist painting, sculpture, and architectural work that we discussed in class from chapter 22, and describe the Mannerist features of each.

During the late sixteenth century a new style of art, known as Mannerist, emerged through out Italy as a result of the Protestant Reformation. Mannerist distorted art was justified because it served mid way between the ideal, natural, symmetrical and the real, artificial, and unbalanced. The religious and political upheaval lead to the distinct Mannerist style know for being stylish, cultured, and elegant. Mannerist art is thought provoking, asking the viewer to ponder and respond to the spatial challenges and meaning found in the painting, sculpture, and architectural work. Mannerist painting and sculpture are characterized by complicated compositions, distorted figure styles, and complex allegorical interpretations. Meanwhile Mannerist architecture often employs classical elements in a new and unusual way that defies traditional formulas.

Mannerist architecture engages the viewer by using Classical elements but in a new and innovative manner. The Palazzo de Te, designed by Giulio Romano serves a distinguished example of Mannerist architecture. The Palazzo de Te, was designed as a modest country villa, and was enlarged to include a horse farm. The Palazzo has an unsettling architectural setting. The trigylphs dip into the cornice, resulting in holes above the area. Meanwhile the pediment corners do not met, along with the placement of a highly unusual placement of an arch right below the pediment. There is also significant difference in the use and placement of columns; engage columns divide t...

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...divided in half. The bottom register illustrates the somber earth, while the top register depicts an ecstatic heaven. The cross is the only element that intercepts both planes.

Mannerism, with the use of elongated figures and complex poses influenced El Greco, who visited Italy before establishing himself in Spain as an artist. Meanwhile the Counter Reformation was highly successful in Spain; therefore the Catholic Church was reformed and supported by the people. Spanish mysticism was the ability through good works to achieve a direct encounter with god. The goal was to reform the church and renew spirituality.

Works Cited

Kleiner, Fred S., and Helen Gardner. Gardner's Art through the Ages: A

Global History. Boston, MA: Thomson Higher Education, 2009. Print.

Nici, John B. Barron's AP Art History. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational

Series, 2008. Print.

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