Craig Hugh Smyth, Mannerism and Maniera, pp. 24-49
and 98-99
Today’s concept of maniera was passed on the 1600s. Maniera
had caused the fall of cinquecento painting. Bellori had said hat painting had
reached its height during the time of Raphael. He says that artists abandoned the study of
nature and were corrupted by maniera. Maneria
being the painting was far from the natural truthful painting done by Raphael.
Bellori saw this as the destroying of painting that began to be studied in
schools. Maniera seemed to be bored artists searching for a new way to paint. The
artist began to enjoy painting weak disegno that was far from the truth of
earlier paintings. It was based more on imagination rather than truth.
This style was peculiar and thought as a decline during the 1500s.
The art was very capricious and imaginative and seemed to have no higher meaning.
The paintings were confusing and unnaturally composed. The poses of the
muscular subjects seem to be impossible and completely pointless. I love the
energy and confusion that these maniera paintings contain.
During the mid sixteenth century the term maniera was a
derogatory term towards painting. This was in the case of Dolce. Vesari on the other
hand came up with the term belle maniera as he was a mannerist painter and
loved the work of maniera. Vesari saw it
as an ideal figure that could be used to recreate all figures. Vesari saw the
figures as more graceful and sweet (perfection). He saw a lack of style in earlier paintings. He
wanted to see bizarre figures, perfection in feet, hands and other body parts. He also wanted to see more imaginative lovely colors.
He saw maniera as a way to change, eliminate dryness and create interest. The introduction of mannerism is so beautiful
and I wouldn't say that later arts were boring, but art needed to change. There
is definitely a point where change is needed to spark interest, controversy, and
different ideas. Imagine how boring art
would be without these important historical changes.
True, and that is why it is disappointing today that there are no"styles" to "change"
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to think that there used to be a cohesive popular style of art and by the application of variation upon this style, one could insight controversy or inspiration somewhat quickly. Today, it seems that contemporary artists have a tendency to strive for originality for originality's sake. There is nothing to compare recent pieces too, because everyone wants to exist in a category of their own, it seems.
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