Mannerism and Anti-Mannerism in Italian Painting

by Walter Friedlaender

Here are presented two essays by one of the pioneers in the modern exploration of 16th century Italian art. The first, on the Kunstwissenschaft, v.XLVII; the second, on the style translated and published in a 1957 edition, of which this is a reprint (with inclusion of a 1964 foreword).

Genres: Art, Art History

108 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Kevin Fitzpatrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consisting of two book-end essays concerning 16th century movements of European Art, Walter Friedlaender's "Mannerism & Anti-Mannerism in Italian Painting" consists of detailed, acute analyses of major painters during one of the most stimulating periods of Italian Art. Artists as profound as Pontormo, the Northener Durer, Michaelangelo, and Carracci are dealt with in depth and with considerable sensitivity. However, the clearest appreciation of the scope of the exploration Friedlaender undertakes can be found in the artists who stand as "strong influences" over both essays, Pontormo, for the Mannerist period, and Peter Paul Rubens, for the anti-mannerist epoch. Seen in this light, the painters best embodying the nature of their periods, Parmigianino, Fiorentino, and Michaelangelo for the Mannerists; and Carracci and Caravaggio for the anti-mannerists, are best seen in relation to the manifestation of their respective tendencies to these two artists. Friedlaender's analysis is not just bifurcated between these two masters, however, for he subjects his gaze to elements as diverse as the treatment of space, color, and line in the technique of these artists; and to how the subjects treated the themes of the transcendental and the spiritual in their work. Complimented by the inclusion of representations of the works in question, the work suggests the importance of the time period in the history of the visual arts and how the movements have impacted our understanding of Art as a whole. Detailed, erudite, informative, this work serves as a perfect complement to one studying the period in question in particular and the history of Western Art in general. Essential reading this is.

[Amy Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friedlaender writes with authority and enthusiasm, making sense of a complicated but fascinating period of Italian art history with a natural succinctness and passion.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 / 5

Recull de dos importantíssims assaigs d'en Walter Friendlaender, un dels pioners en l'exploració moderna de l'art italià del segle XVI, en els que es va definir les característiques dels períodes que actualment considerem Manierista i del pre-Barroc. En aquesta edició es divideixen sota el títol de 'estil anti clàssic' i 'estil anti manierista' respectivament.

Tot i ser una lectura curteta, de poc més de 80 pàgines, en Friendlaender aconsegueix d'una manera concisa però elaborada presentar els períodes escollits i les seves particularitats en l'àmbit artístic a través dels seus principals exponents italians i l'evolució en les seves obres, a més també d'una menció a artistes del nord d'Europa importantíssims tant de precursors com a deixebles. En el cas de l'anti clàssic tracta a Parmigianino, Fiorentino i Michelangelo, amb menció especial a Durer; a l'anti manierista als Carracci, Caravaggio i Cigoli, amb en Rubens com a descendent.