Two works of art from the Mannerist style I have chosen to compare are Pontormo’s Entombment (p. 661) and Parmigianino’s Madonna with the Long Neck (p. 662). Both of these works are great examples of the Mannerist style for a variety of diverse reasons they also share many key stylistic elements from the period. Both paintings were created within about twenty years of each other in the early to mid fifteenth century. Both works of art leave the viewer with unsettling feelings that perhaps the things that are included are exaggerated and as well as the since that some things may be missing from the composition.
In Pontormo’s Entombment the colors used are almost electric and do not seem to be an attempt at being realistic at all. Jesus and the other figures appear to be a strange mix of yellow and grey hues while the figure holding up the body of Christ is some type of strange Neon yellow. The figures in the composition are strangely distorted. Elongated and heavy in places while very delicate in others, their bodies are strangely twisted and contorted as well. There is a shallow depth in the composition but no real calculated use of perspective as was popular in the high Italian Renaissance. The figures also seem to be floating in mid air stacked on top of one another. These are all examples of elements that represent the Mannerist style, most of which are present as well in Parmigianino’s Madonna with the Long Neck.
Parmigianino’s Madonna with the Long Neck also has an extremely shallow depth of field as well as figures that are distorted in strange and un-human like ways. The Virgin's body for example seems to be very out of proportion between the top and bottom of her body. She also seems to be impossibly perched upon a thrown that does not exist. There is also a figure St. Jerome, holding a scroll in the bottom right of the composition placed almost only to balance the composition in my opinion. St. Jerome is standing in front of a pole that holds up nothing in front of a missing throne, great examples of an irrational distorted environment.
As far as subject matter is concerned both compositions include depictions of what appears to be Christ dead. In Madonna with the Long Neck Christ appears to be dead as a child which may be a foreshadowing while in Entombment Christ is being carried to the tomb. The background of both images seem to be very dark and heavy perhaps trying to creating a sense of sadness and mourning. Both compositions have a group of figures staring at Christ and the Virgin Mary.
In conclusion these are literally textbook examples of the mannerist style both portraying Christ and the Virgin Mary in mourning. Both also have contorted figures in proportions and the way their bodies are moving, an exaggerated color palette, and strange unsettling composition that defies physics and reality. Therefore both Pontormo’s Entombment and Parmigianino’s Madonna with the Long Neck are excellent examples of the Mannerist style of Italian Renaissance Art.
When looking at the painting of Madonna, I did not realize the shallow depth of field that is used and I think this is a nice element to point out. It gives us a clear view of what falls behind the figures and in this case, the background gives more to the overall Mannerist feel. I think your idea about the dark background is interesting. I also think that the somber expressions on the faces of the people can cause a feeling of sadness and mourning.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that both of these paintings seem to have the same subject matter. Although it's not super surprising because in this time, religious paintings seemed to be the norm. Thank for mentioning that these paintings were done within about 20 years of each other - it's nice to look at things that may or may not have changed in art during this fascinating period.
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