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Art History 3.1 (90490) Analyse style in art, 2006
Question Four: High Renaissance and Mannerism
Plates:
(a) Raphael, The Entombment
(b) Pontormo The Deposition
(i)
(ii)
Identify the stylistic differences between these two paintings
Explain the reasons for the differences between the two paintings by
relating them to developments in High Renaissance and Mannerist art
The clear stylistic differences between Raphaels ‘The Entombment’ and Pontormos
‘The Desposition’ show the development from the ordered and balanced technique of
the High Renaissance, to the more dramatic and exaggerated style that epitomises
Mannerism. These differences can be seen through the Celies of Figure treatment,
light and colour and composition and space.
The figure treatment in Raphaels ‘The Entombment’ is realistic and anatomically
correct. The faces are treated with individuality and the poses are very realistic and
natural, shown particularly through the way the two men are straining to hold Jesus
up, and leaning back for balance.
When you compare this with Portoromo’s ‘The Deposition’ the figures seem more
exaggerated and less natural in their poses. In particular the two men holding Jesus
up in this painting are barely straining and balancing on no more than their toes.
Jesus also appears bulkier and less proportionate.
The light and colour in Raphaels painting is even and harmonious. The balanced
tone of the painting gives it a sense of unity and the lighting natural and clear, slightly
illuminating the key figures in the story (Jesus and Mary).
In Pontormos ‘The Deposition’ the lighting is dramatic and theatrical. Some areas of
the narrative appear to be illuminated for no apparent reason, for example the
womens head scarves and the woman with her back to us. The use of colour is
brighter and more clashing than in Raphaels ‘The Entombment’ which adds to the
feeling of chaos and confusion seen in ‘The Deposition’.
The composition in Raphael’s ‘The Entombment’ is quite ordered and harmonious.
There are clear figure groupings which brings clarity to the narrative as it allows your
eyes to move easily across the picture plane. The setting is clear and realistic,
achieved through the use of perspective, which gives the viewer a further
understanding on where/how the figures stand in space.
This is probably one of the greatest stylistic differences between the two paintings as
the composition in Pontormos ‘The Deposition’ is cramped and has no clear figure
groupings. With no real setting visible the narrative becomes less clear, and the
space somewhat confusing. There is slight frontal plane stress.
The reason Raphaels painting is so clear, balanced and harmonious is that he is a
High Renaissance painter. High Renaissance painters were concerned with
idealisation and depicting realistic and ordered scenes. Whereas Pontormos painting
is less realistic and more dramatic and exaggerated. This is because Mannerism
came about in a time of social unrest. The reformation had begun (1517) and the
authority and reign of the Church as being challenged. So it seemed no longer
appropriate to strive for the classical ideas of calm, order and restraint when the
world around them was anything but calm and ordered.
There was also a feeling amongst the new generation of painters that the likes of
Raphael and Michelangelo had completely mastered High Renaissance style and
also to continue striving for such values and perfected technique would be to simply
strive to emulate the painters before them. So it was another reason to develop a
new style – an anti-classical style, known as mannerism.
Achieved
NZAHTA extends its thanks to the students who permitted this answer to be published and
the teachers who annotated it.