Mannerism in the Works of a Greek Painter El Greco

The three artworks which will be discussed in this paper are The vocational of saint Aloysius Gonzaga by garcinol; Christ healing the blind by Elgreco; Saint Margaret of Cortona by Gaspare Traversi, Geurcino artwork is from the Baroque time period; El Greco work is from Mannerism; and Traversi artwork is from Enlightenment time period. These artworks are from three different periods but share some similarities and differences in content and composition. These three paintings have a similar theme, such as devotion toward religion, and Christianity was common among three of the artworks.

The Baroque time period started around the 1600s and ended by the 1750s, and it was mostly remembered for its styles of architecture, arts and music, and sculptures. It followed the Renaissance style and preceded the neoclassical style. The most commonly known sculpture from the Baroque time period was Ecstasy of Saint Theresa by Bernini.

The mannerism time period started around the 1520s and ended by the end of the 16th century. Mannerism was replaced by the Baroque time period. The vocational of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga by Guercino was made in 1650. It was an oil on Canvas painting, and it was made in the Baroque time period. Gonzaga was the eldest son of the Marquis of Castiglione. He left marquis because of his younger brother. Later on, he devoted his life to poor people’s life until he passed away.

In the painting, an angel holds a heavenly wreath over the saint’s head, representing his devotion to the Virgin Mary, while lilies are placed next to his feet, representing chastity, innocence, and a crown, symbolizing the marquisate he had renounced. The use of Chiaroscuro can be seen by the painter as shades with shades of light and dark in the painting. Some angels playing guitar and violin can be seen on top of Gonzaga’s head, symbolizing happiness. A cross in the painting refers to a sacrifice made by Gonzaga. The passing clouds and blue sky can be seen in the back, symbolizing its daytime. Geometric shapes have been used in the painting and can be seen as triangles forming the painting. Triangle was created by two bottom corners of the painting to the head of the angel, wearing a green dress. Also, rectangles, squares, and triangles are observed in this painting. The complementary color contrast used in the painting can be seen as dark blue, red, and green color dresses. Two of the angels are not covered with clothing in the picture.

Houses/ buildings can be seen in the back, which creates an illusionistic distance. The atmospheric perspective can be seen in the painting by trees in the back of the painting, which creates the illusion of distance. Gonzago is dressed up in a white top and black, which symbolizes purity and innocence. The angel in blue in the painting holding the Cross is standing in a contrapposto pose. An angel on the top wearing red is looking at the audience/ viewer. Gonzogo dies at a very young age. The Cross also signifies the importance of religion; it symbolizes Christianity.

The texture of this painting seems soft and smooth. The painting is asymmetrical since the vanishing point cannot be observed in the painting. The blue color of the sky matches the blue color of the angel dress. The repetition of colors can be seen in the painting with the repeating pattern of blue, green, and white color. Viewing this art person was an amazing experience. In the paintings, all the angels are barefoot, but Gonzago is wearing shoes.

Another painting that I really liked at the Met museum was Christ healing the blind by El Greco. It was an oil on canvas painting, and the time period of the painting was Mannerism. Mannerism knew as the late renaissance. It started around the 1520s, which was a high renaissance and ended around 1590. The genre of the painting was Christian art. This painting’s main theme was Christ healing the blind man; the man is kneeling in front of Christ. Two figures in the front are looking at Christ, and the blind man seems to be the parents of the blind man. Architectural buildings can be seen at the back of this painting. One-point linear perspective was used in this painting by orthogonal lines meeting at one single vanishing point. Christ is standing in a contrapposto pose. Repetition of colors can be seen in the repeating shades and patterns of pink, yellow, green, and blue.

The use of geometrical figures can be seen in the painting, such as square boxes on the floor and triangles. People in the foreground are larger in size than people in the back, which represents spatial distance and foreshortening. Clouds and blue sky are seen in the painting, which represents daytime. The blue color of the sky matches the blue color of Christ’s clothing. There are people to the left and right who are curious and would like to see the miracle happening.

A complementary color palette was used in the painting, which can be seen as dark green, blue, and pink color. The upper left corner of the composition of the painting remains unfinished, and Greco also painted two other versions of this painting but seemed to like this one more. Repetition of geometrical figures and shapes can be seen in the painting. The lightning can be observed in Christ’s clothing which symbolizes holiness. People to the left and right of Christ seemed to have similar robes but with less light reflection, which emphasizes the superiority of Christ and holiness.

Two people in the middle of the painting draw viewers’ attention to the painting but are embracing each other, which is not a part of the biblical story. People in the painting are looking to the side or showing their back to the miracle happening, which shows that for them, it’s not very important, which is very strange. Different types of renaissance styles can be seen in architectural buildings in the painting. The use of Chiaroscuro can be seen in the painting as contrasted light and shadow created by the light coming from the left side of the painting. Sfumato is used in the painting, which can be viewed as tones and shades of colors gradually mixing into each other.

There are differences and similarities between both paintings. Some similarities between both paintings are the Use of Chiaroscuro in the paintings. The complementary color palette is another similarity between both paintings by Greco and neutrino. One-point linear perspective was used in the El Greco painting but not in the Geurcino painting. Another difference that can be seen in both paintings is the use of foreshortening in Christ healing the blind. The atmospheric perspective was only used in the garcinol painting, and the one-point linear perspective was used only in the el Greco painting.

The el Greco painting has an architectural building in it, but the other painting doesn’t have it. Only sfumato is used in the el Greco painting. Even though both paintings are from different time periods but have many common similarities and differences, and geometrical figures are used in both paintings. Contrapposto pose is observed in both paintings. Another painting that I liked at the Metropolitan museum is Saint Margaret of Cortona by Gaspare traverse.

It was painted in 1758, and the medium used was oil on canvas. She is shown wearing the habit of Franciscan Territory, holding a crucifix, and gazing into the face of an angel who appears to be holding the crown of thorns. In the back of the painting, we can see Satan, who misled her and prompted her to go back to his sinful life, now fleeing into the fire of hell. In the painting, we can also see her illegitimate son. She is holding a crucifix which symbolizes religion/ Christianity. Angel has jewelry that has pearls in it; pearls are the symbol of innocence and purity.

This painting does not have a colorful palette; it has black, red, and white colors in the painting. This painting is expressionistic, which can be seen by the face of Margaret, who seems very worried due to her deeds. There is a skull in the back of the painting, which symbolizes memento mori “reminder of mortality’. The painting contrast of light and dark in the painting. Geometrical figures and shapes can be seen in the paintings, such as triangles.

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