Mannerist School, 1600s - St Paul With Sword and Book

Mannerist School, 1600s

St Paul With Sword and Book

oil on copper
plate size 6.29 x 5.11 inches (16 x 13cm)
frame 10.62 x 9.05 inches (27 x 23 cm)

Provenance:
From a Swedish Private Collection.

Essay:
Mannerism, derived from the Italian term "maneria," which simply means "style," was an artistic movement that emerged in the later years of the Italian High Renaissance, around 1520, and extended into the early 17th century. It is often referred to as the "stylish style" due to its emphasis on self-conscious artifice rather than realistic depiction. Historians debate whether Mannerism should be classified as a style, a movement, or a period.

In contrast to the harmonious ideals embraced by renowned artists such as Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci, Mannerist painters took a step further and created compositions that were almost bizarre. They introduced fresh color schemes, elongated proportions, and exaggerated anatomy of figures, portraying them in convoluted and serpentine poses. These artists skillfully exhibited their techniques and abilities, aiming to evoke a sense of sophisticated elegance.

Among the notable Mannerist painters are Jacopo da Pontormo, Bronzino, Lavinia Fontana, and Joachim Wtewael. In our painting "St Paul With Sword and Book," we can observe the artist's adherence to the Mannerist style through elements such as the vivid colors of the clothing, the hand gestures, and the meticulously painted face.