The Madonna with the Long Neck vs. Allegory with Venus and Cupid

Late Renaissance / Mannerism

            Although each individual artist had their own stylistic characteristics and techniques, Mannerism was a specific style which many artists favored and adopted during the 1520’s.  This style of art was developed in Florence and Rome, during the Late Renaissance.  During this time artists gained a lot of technical knowledge such as perspective as well as the use of oil paints. The fundamental basics about archeology were being developed during this time period as well, which allowed artists the use and study actual artifacts.  High Renaissance art was natural, graceful, balanced and harmonious; the art of Mannerism on the other hand was quite different.  Typical mannerist compositions were full of conflicting colors, misconstrued environments, and figures with distorted proportions.   These paintings often had emotionally driven strange and sometimes bizarre themes that combined Classicism, mythology and Christianity.  The evolution of Mannerism is quite interesting; generally speaking, this style of art presents an impression of tension or anxiety that distinguishes it from the serenity of the Renaissance period. As an artist, I personally like to think of it as the time period when the “artist’s license” was initially issued.

            I would like to compare Parmigianino’s Madonna with the Long Neck (p.662) to Bronzino’s  Allegory with Venus and Cupid (p.663).  These two paintings both contain depictions of elongation and disproportion.  Within the Madonna with the Long Neck painting Mannerism is depicted in the highly stylized poses, elongated proportions, and lack of clear perspective. The painting depicts a rather large Mary who is wearing a beautiful layered robe while sitting on a pedestal and holding baby on her lap. Mary is almost twice the size of the angels to her right, and does not have normal human proportions; her head is small in comparison to the rest of her body.  Her neck, shoulders, legs and fingers have all been elongated to make her appear more elegant and graceful. The child which she holds does not have porportions of an infant, but rather that of a toddler.  The length of his body is long, the head and feet seem to be too small for the torso and legs.  There are six angels to the right of Mary, one of which appears to have an elongated right leg and short torso.  Instead of an equal distribution of figures in equal pairs on both sides of the Madonna, there are angels crowded into a narrow corner on the left, behind them the wall is draped with fabric. The other side is a wide open space, which shows the small figure of the prophet and marble columns which are not supporting anything.  

            The main characteristics of mannerism which are presented in The Madonna with the Long Neck are the layering of fabrics, elongated body parts and disproportions.  These style characteristics are also shown in the Allegory with Venus and Cupid.  However, there are also exaggerated poses within this piece.  There is a lot of awkwardness seen in this painting.  Cupid has the body of a young teenage boy, and a head the size of a toddler.  The adolescent facial features of Cupid conflict with his body type.  The way in which he is standing looks very unnatural not to mention uncomfortable. The fact that he is pinching Venus’ nipple is very disturbing to me.  Also the way in which Venus sits looks awkward.  It is hard to tell if she is sitting or is partly raised up on something.  The way in which her legs are bent looks as she is sitting, however her left thigh appears to be elevated off the ground in an unusual way.  Similar to the Madonna with the Long Neck painting there are depictions of fabric within this composition. This painting has several things in it which I find bazaar; the serpent child who has the legs and paws of a lion doesn’t seem to belong within this composition. The man in the shadows to the left is also disturbing. The way he is grabbing his hair with such a look of anguish on his face makes me wonder who he is.  The older man to the right in the background seems to have an elongated, muscular right arm, and he is clenching his fist while pulling back the fabric with anger. There seems to be multiple meanings and/ or interpretations within this piece.  Cupid and Venus are looking at each other in a sensual way; therefore I think it has to do with incest.

            Even though the Mannerist style has different and somewhat unusual characteristics, I still find the quality of the paintings to be elegant.  The highlights and shadows are very nice and create depth within both paintings. Both of these paintings seem to have a sense of calmness and adoration within them. I find it peaceful that the baby is fast asleep in the Madonna with the Long Neck;  As well as the way Venus is delicately holding the arrow in one hand and the golden apple in the other which is resting on her leg.

            Both pieces are interesting and have a lot of details which are big and outright as well as small and almost hidden.