The Wester And Mannerism: The History Of Western Art

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The term ‘Western art’ is mostly associated with art of western Europe, however, is used generally to describe art that has roots that date back to or are based on western Europe art traditions. In a general sense, Western arts are the “literary performing and visual arts of Europe and regions that share a European cultural tradition, including the United States and Canada.” The history of western art is broken up into periods that include Medieval, Byzantine, Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, Modernism and Post-Modernism. It is impossible to determine an exact point where they begin and end, or to account for the variety of art styles produced within these periods, and so they name and exact periods of their affluence are continually debated.

Even though the …show more content…

Mannerism was a period based the value of idealisation of beauty over the classical idea of 'truth to nature '. The more emphasised responses to this ideal of Mannerism are shown in the late works of Michelangelo, Raphael, Tintoretto and El Greco. These artists were known to do robust physiques and body statures that were emphasised in muscular tone and an almost heroic stance of figure. Other artists though showed a more refined approach to this style such as Agnolo Bronzino, Parmigianino and Jacopo Pontormo.

The foundations of Western art tradition were comprised of these various movements and times, each with their own styles. However, Western art tradition can be seen to have several common factors throughout each period. Western art forms a basis on the realistic interpretations of everyday life, virtues and deeds, rulers and religious leaders using formal artistic traditional styles and religious conventions, with a focus on skill and quality being valued highest in the production of

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