Mannerism

Очерки письмоводителя по эрмитажным залам».

16^th century number of Italian artists started a new tendency, that got the name mannerism. For the first time this term was used Georgeo Vazaryi – artist, writer, historian, he wrote biographies of famous artists of Italian renaissance etc. His definition – “bella manera” – the word “mannerism” derived. The artists called themselves the followers of Da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo. The artists distorted forms and proportions of human body, they used elongated lines and forms rather flat representation.

One of the founders – Rosso Fiorentino (1494-1540) – “Madonna and child” (1517). He was very much influenced by Michelangelo. He was invited by French royalty to the court of French king Francis I – he became the court artist, worked as a designer in Фонтенбло, was more popular in France than in Italy. Madonna sitting on the throne, behind – an unknown source of light (it used to be blew, eventually it turned green). Jesus Christ is not an infant child, he is standing near his mother, he is about 4 years old. All of the characters have similar smiles, the angels look very much like Jesus.

Pontormo (1494-1557). He was inspired by Michelangelo. Madonna and child with St Josepf and St John the Baptist. Used the same principles and Fiorentino – early mannerism. In the museum of Uffitsi there is a preparatory sketch – only Madonna and the child. St John is shown as teenager. Goldfinch – symbol of resurrection of Christ. And they used to keep finch as a toy for children.

In 50 years the pupil of Pontormo – Jovanni Batisto Nal’dini (1537-1591) – “Bathsheba at the bath” (1570). (Вирсавия в купальне) – late mannerism (decay). Georgeo Vazaryi influenced him. King David on the balcony. David succeed king Saul. Once he saw Bathsheba in the bath and fell in love with her, she was the wife of the military commander Uraya. She got pregnant while her husband was out. David wanted to hid the child – he invited Uraya to Bathsheba as if it was his child, but Uraya didn’t come to his wife and guarded the doors of David’s palace for whole night. To get rid of Uraya, David sent him to death and married Bathsheba. God punished their – their first baby died. Second child was famous king Solomo.

(“David and Uraya” – a painting of Rembrant, also in Hermitage). Почему-то переименовали в «Омана, узнающего свою судьбу».

One face for 5 women, but different foreshortening – naked Bathsheba and her servants – same face, same hairstyle.

“Love scene” by Julio Romano. He was a pupil of Raphael. The artist used a lot of symbolic details – a cat, seating near the bed, symbolized vice and evil, dog, that symbolizes married life, is outside the room. Who is this old women? Is she the mistress of a bordel? Did she came to ware, that husband has come, a lot of keys. Sleepers are shown apart – it shows that married life is unhappy. Blue color – a mistake of restorers.