Describe the typical characteristics of Mannerism. Use Pontormo's work to explain the ways these characteristics appear
What will be an ideal response?
Essay responses should include these points:
The painting has an ambiguous composition as the figures seem to float in mid-air with no particular setting.
Some figures press forward into the viewer's space.
Odd poses and drastic shifts in scale charge the scene emotionally.
A Mannerist color scheme was used, creating an odd juxtaposition between baby blue and pink with olive green, yellow, and scarlet.
Mannerism developed into an anti-Classical movement in which artificiality, grace, and elegance took priority over the ordered balance and lifelike references that were hallmarks of High Renaissance art.
Art & Culture