Term Two, Week Seven

Last week we were thinking about the stylistic developments in Mannerism, all that twisting movement and ice cream colours -

with Pontormo's Entombment as a fantastic example.

This week our focus shifts to the issues surrounding this period

1520-1600.

We begin a four week quest to complete our final internal achievement standard -

3.5: 'Investigate an art issue' for another big 4 credits.

So, by 1523 Clement VII, ( the guy you wouldn't buy a used car from), becomes the second Medici Pope - following on from Leo X, the 'fat, lecherous pig' - Luther publishes a serious challenge to the Church: Stop the sale of indulgences and clean up your act, or else!

Needless to say, they didn't so Europe spiraled into 120 years of war.......starting with the Sack of Rome and Reformation.

Following directly on the heels of Luther was the Catholic Church's answer :

the Counter Reformation and Council of Trent.

Don't worry your pretty little heads about too much of this - your job is to know how and why the developments of Mannerism impact on the context, style and iconography of the art.

Meantime, have a clear idea about an issue, which for us is

a POINT of DISCUSSION, (see Mrs Weissing for a definition of issues!), relating to Mannerism that you will explore in your 3.5.

Artists in the frame this week:

Michelangelo: Medici Tombs and Last Judgement

Bronzino: Portraiture

Pontormo ( Bronzino's teacher) and Parmigianino

Ciao for now, see you in class and good luck with the research.

Bronzino and the Mannerist Portrait

The Protestant Reformation - Part 1

Term Two, Week Five and Six

Hold on to your hats - Mannerism is the journey and you're in for a bumpy ride.

In this period, artists question the perfection of the High Renaissance and a scholar/ monk from Germany, Martin Luther, challenges the corruption of the Catholic Church.

This period of history is known as the Reformation and ushers in more than a century of ferocious religious wars.

However, Catholicism proved capable of reinvention. The Counter Reformation follows shortly after and succeeds and represses much of the new Protestant ideals.

Whatever you believed, it was a scary time to live and Mannerist Art reflects this.

In the external exams Mannerism is ALWAYS used in comparison to the High Renaissance and a few well chosen phrases will ensure success in this area.

Term Two Week Four

Well, with 'Examine a Theory' behind us we can consolidate other aspects of our High Renaissance learning by refocussing on portraiture.

Our interests here lie only with Leonardo and Raphael - who both capture the character and personality of their models.
Remember the Early (or is that LOW, Andrea) Renaissance stuff-
all stiff and sideways , profiles like big nose?
With the new interest in Humanism, Art reflected the general celebration in the importance of the individual.
In class we'll work through the key images, many of which we started to cover at the end of Term One - check back through this blog at Leonardo's amazing paintings.

Our top 4 works this week are:

The Doni Portraits, another double whammy - trendy dude, Agnolo and the not so lovely Maddalena.

CSI detectives, which earlier works would you compare this pair to?

Coming in at Number Three - the gorgeous Donna Velata and all the gossip about Rahael's love life with Marhgerita Luti, the baker's daughter.

Next, at Number Two - the dapper Baldassare Castiglione, a one time mentor for Raphael and author of The Coutier.

And top of the pops this week, our particularly papal portraits:

Julius II ( aka warrior pope) and Leo X (the 'fat, lecherous pig' - nice).

Interestingly, Raphael painted lots about himself too. Not so much Leonardo, who only seems to have made one significant drawing.

Enjoy the work and prepare yourself for the madness that is Mannerism, coming your way next week.