What's your Maniera?

Here it is, the promised post on mannerism. Before I get started I would like to clear up your possible confusion with the title. When asking yourself, 'What is your maniera?' I'm simply asking, what you think your style or artistic preference is.

By definition, Maniera is the Italian term for a characteristic style of an artist or school of artists. Following this definition comes the topic of focus, Mannerism.

Word of the Blog: *Mannerism

1. A habitual gesture or way of speaking or behaving. 2. Excessive use of a distinctive style in art, literature, or music. [3] A style of 16th-century Italian art preceding the Baroque, characterized by distortions in scale and perspective and the use of bright, often lurid colours. It is particularly associated with the work of Parmigianino, Pontormo, Vasari, and later Michelangelo.

When analysing architects, Vasari & Michelangelo. One thing I noticed about them is that, similar to Parmingianio & Pontormo, both of them had an artistic influence in their lives, such as being painters, sculptors and authors. Additional to their architectural profession, adding their own individual maniera's to their works. Having these creative backgrounds not only elevates their building designs but also places a personal element on the structure as well. Alongside Michelangelo & Vasari, architects Giulio Romano & Palladio demonstrate aspects of mannerism.

Giulio Romano

During the renaissance, Giulio Romano had a large impact in asserting mannerism in his era. His design of a collapsing corinthian presented his personal perspective of the renaissance orders. Similarly found with his introduction of texture in architecture through rusticated brickwork in walls, removing the mundane qualities of plain walls and adding something different, unique even.

Palladio

Similar to Romano, Palladio's background in sculptures and the influence it had on his architecture can be considered an act of a mannerist. His ability to take his personal experience in sculptures and apply it to his structures adds an element of uniqueness and individuality.

Some may say, the reason behind this lies in the limited educated people available for jobs during the 15th century and furthermore. To some extent, I agree. But I also believe that it somehow has an element to do with the 21st century's society's obsession with categorising. Catrerogrising scientists from artists, Mathemetitions from historians, architects from engineers. -- what is wrong with being both or more?

In my opinion, I believe to some extent certain individual architectural styles (maniera) are less prominent in the industry of architecture in this century. But what do you think? Comment your opinion.

References

University of Portsmouth. (2021b). Mannerism [Slides]. Panopto. https://port.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=40c29552-707e-4407-97a3-ace9009745c3

Oxford University Press (OUP). (n.d.). maniera. Lexico.Com. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/maniera

Cambridge Dictionary. (2022, April 20). mannerism definition: 1. something that a person does repeatedly with their face, hands, or voice, and that they may not. . .. Learn more. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/mannerism

Giorgio Vasari Paintings, Bio, Ideas. (n.d.). The Art Story. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://www.theartstory.org/artist/vasari-giorgio/

Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore. Art Destination Venice. (n.d.). Universes.Art. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://universes.art/en/art-destinations/venice/tours/san-giorgio-maggiore/basilica-1