High Renaissance and Early Mannerism (Term Paper Sample)

High Renaissance and Early Mannerism Student’s Name Teacher’s Name Course Title Date High Renaissance and Early Mannerism The term mannerism originated in Italy from about 1520 to 1600. It is a movement in visual arts that spread between the high renaissance periods through much of Europe. Mannerism is an artistic style that takes its ideal as the work of two great artists Michelangelo Buonarroti and Raphael. Mannerism art entailed instability and compositional tension as compared to the clarity and balance of earlier Renaissance painting. Eugene Delacroix, a French romantic painter, describes mannerism art as a characteristic of muscular, complex composition, and elongated figures in poses. Eugene gives a good description of the characteristic of mannerism art and its artists. Mannerism is considered a period of overly styled work, theatrical, and technical accomplishment. Other leading mannerist artists include Parmigianino, Pontormo, and Rosso Fiorentino (Kleiner 490). This paper review serves to compare Mannerist artists and Renaissance artists. Renaissance art is defined by the integration of clearly characterized space, naturally proportioned figures and expressive use of vibrant color. Mannerism work depicts flattening of the pictorial space, distortion of the human body, and intellectual sophistication. This is in contrast with high Renaissance work that is clearly defined as genius work in history. Renaissance attempts to re-invent art with emotionalism and naturalism. Masters of Renaissance work include artists like Leonardo Di Vinci, Raphael, and Buonarroti. Other great artists incorporated include Giovanni Bellini, Titian, and Giorgione. Renaissance artists attempted to portray a more lifelike portrait of the human figure. Italian Mannerism incorporated the twisted poses, elongated figure proportions, and compression of pictorial space as represented by Parmigianino and Jacopo Tintoretto (Kleiner 431). Mannerism art originated as a reaction to the idealized naturalism of Renaissance art. High Renaissance art was considered balanced and harmonious, natural, and graceful while Mannerist was composed of disquieting figures with abnormal limbs, clashing colors, bizarre and emotion themes that integrated Christianity, mythology and classicism. Landscapes suffered a similar circumstance. The sky was filled with a menacing color and flying animals that portrayed un-necessary busyness (Kleiner 493). Giuseppe Arcimboldo is an example of an Italian Mannerist artist who was born in Milan in 1527. The artist is recognized for his products that at first look human but are composed of fruits, animals; flowers and objects well carefully placed. His work is a reflection of nature and science that occurred at his time. Another great Mannerist artist is Michelangelo Buonarroti, arguably the most known artist of the Renaissance period along with fellow artists Raphael and Leonardo Di Vinci. Michelangelo’s works were simple, stunning, in quality, scale and quantity. Famous statues under his name include the 18-foot David and the Pieta. He also decorated tombs with sculpture pieces. He created one of the greatest masterpieces of all time on Sistine Chapel ceiling. Michelangelo passed on 18 February 1564 in Rome aged 88 (Kleiner 435). Benvenuto Cellini was an Italian Mannerist with a hot temper. Despite this, the pope and the king commissioned his works because of his enormous talent. One of his pieces is called the Saliera made of Gold and partly covered by enamel. Andrea Del Sarto was another Italian painter whose works occurred during the High Renaissance and early mannerism. Some of his works include; portrait of Baccio, Madonna of the Harpies, and Giovanni Baptista. Andrea died in 1530 in Italy. The most famous painter of the Parma school during the Renaissance period in Italy was Antonio Allegri da Corregio. He is the minds behind some of the most sensual and vigorous works of the 16th century. Some of his masterpieces paintings include; Jupiter and Lo, Assumption of the Virgin, Danae, Nativity, and Adoration of the child in 1520. Antonio died on March 5, 1534 in Italy (Kleiner 436). Even though Mannerism is mostly associated with Italian art, there existed Northern Mannerism used to depict the artwork of North European artists such as Uytewael, Goltzius and Spranger in the late 16th century. Their intricate compos...