Art Movement

Mannerism

Portrait of a Halberdier by Pontormo
Source: http://emptyeasel.com/2007/11/06/what-was-mannerism-who-were-the-mannerists-an-intro-to-16th-century-art/

An Allegory with Venus and Cupid by Agnolo Bronzino
Source: http://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/mannerism-and-late-renaissance/deck/2750642 

Mannerism was the art movement that arose immediately after the Renaissance during the 16^th century.

Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Raphael, just to name a few were the most typical artists during that period and inspired the artists to come after them.

There are two characteristics that tend to show up in Mannerists works which the first is an elongation of the neck and torso in portraits or figurative paintings. This is because in Mannerism, artists were more interested in creating an interesting work of art and expressing a feeling. Therefore, the “real life” precision of a painting was not important anymore.

The second characteristic sometimes seen in Mannerism is symbolism. Mannerist artists would use visual allegories and intricate meanings to attract a specific, wealthier audience, rather than making art for everyone.

Picasso's Blue Period

The Old Guitarist
Source: http://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/test-one-part-b/deck/751444

The Tragedy
Source: http://pages.uoregon.edu/jvansise/picasso/jvansisepicasso.htm

The Blue Period is a term used to define to the works produced by a Spanish artist Pablo Picasso between 1901 and 1904.

Instead of using the bright mixtures of colours, his paintings took on monochromatic hues of blue and blue-green with very infrequent warm colours. The subject matter for this period were poor people, old and sick people, and also despairing lovers. 

Besides, the paintings showed themes of isolation, poverty, and mental depression. The mood of the paintings was dull due to his experience in Spain.

References

Dan. (2013). What was Mannerism? Who were the Mannerists? An Intro to 16th Century Art. emptyeasel.com. Retrieved from http://emptyeasel.com/2007/11/06/what-was-mannerism-who-were-the-mannerists-an-intro-to-16th-century-art/

Miles, A. J. (2011). Picasso's Blue Period. ajmiles. Retrieved from http://www.ajmiles.net/artists/picasso-blue-period.asp