The Gothic period was succeeded by the Renaissance period, which is divided into three major phases: Early, High, and Late/Mannerism. A major event in the history of Italy and Christianity characterizes each phase. At the beginning of the High Renaissance, there was an attack on Florence. Similarly, at the start of Mannerism, there was a revolution by Protestants who protested catholic clergy indulgences. High Renaissance and Mannerism share much in common in terms of art, but some differences exist. Since Mannerism is an advanced stage of the High Renaissance, some significant differences exist that make Mannerism unique from the High Renaissance. Mannerist style differs from the High Renaissance style in terms of proportional distortion of figures, Sculptures, painting style, and source of light in paintings.
First, the styles used in Mannerism and High Renaissance differ in the proportional figures’ painting. In the High Renaissance period, all figures in frescoes were drawn proportionally. Each part of their bodies was proportional to each other, showing a great understanding of human anatomy. For example, the sculpture of Pieta by Michelangelo shows parts of the body of Christ in proportion to one another. However, in the mannerism phase body parts of the figures are not proportional. For example, the Madonna of the Long Neck by Parmigianino. The Madonna is painted as having a long neck which is not proportional to her body. Her highs are not proportional as they appear to be big and long. Also, Christ, the child, is painted as being long. Elongated body parties of the figures are also seen in the painting, The Deposition by Pontormo.
In addition, the mannerist style is distinct from the High Renaissance style in terms of sculptures. During High Renaissance, great artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci made great and monumental sculptures. Many of the sculptures made were of David- Michelangelo and Leonardo made sculptures of David. These sculptures are in contrapposto and do have much dramatic movement. They are almost passive and static. On the contrary, the mannerist style of making sculpture shows more dynamism and is somehow dramatic. Looking at the sculpture Abduction of a Sabine Woman by Giambologna. The sculpture portrays a triumphant Roman man as if he is about to walk away with the Sabine woman who is resisting. It creates an imaginary scene in the mind of the viewer.
Besides, it is worth pointing out that the sculptures in the mannerism period have different figures in one sculpture. Unlike the sculpture of the High Renaissance, which showed only one of two figures, the most being David and the head of Goliath. The mannerism sculptures have several figures in one sculpture, and the figures show some reality.
Furthermore, the Mannerist style is characteristically different from the High Renaissance style in the painting style used. The great artist of the High Renaissance, such as Leonardo Da Vinci, used oil painting. Oil painting was the most innovative and creative way of painting frescoes. It allowed artists to paint layer after layer, modifying the appearance of figures. In comparison with the Mannerist style, tempera was used in painting figures. For example, the Red Chalk, a self-portrait of Pontormo, was initially painted in tempera. Primarily tempera was used in painting, and then oil painting was later used to beautify the figures by adding different colors. Oil painting was used mostly in the High Renaissance period. Still, instead of advancing it, artists of the mannerism period used the old painting style of tempera, which had been used in the Early Renaissance.
Lastly, another distinctive feature between the mannerist style and High Renaissance is the source of light in the paintings. When comparing Leonardo’s painting of the Last Supper, he uses natural light to show the figures in the paintings. Light comes in from the outside to where Christ and the disciples are. However, in Mannerism, no natural light is used in the Last Supper by Tintoretto. Light emanates from Christ and his disciples and the lamp above them on the left.
In conclusion, some distinctive features such as painting style, body part proportionality of the figures, sculptures, and source of light differentiate Mannerism from the High Renaissance. One major thing that makes High Renaissance different from Mannerism is the distortion of figures. The reason for distorting body parts by elongating them is unknown, but it characterizes the Mannerist style.
References
Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, “Jacopo Tintoretto, Last Supper,” in Smarthistory, December 10, 2015, accessed June 20, 2023, https://smarthistory.org/tintoretto-last-supper/.
Dr. Shannon Pritchard, “Giambologna, Abduction of a Sabine Woman,” in Smarthistory, September 8, 2016, accessed June 20, 2023, https://smarthistory.org/giambologna-abduction-of-a-sabine-woman/.
Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, “Parmigianino, Madonna of the Long Neck,” in Smarthistory, November 28, 2015, accessed June 20, 2023, https://smarthistory.org/parmigianino-madonna-of-the-long-neck/.
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