Madonna with the Long Neck
Factual Information:
From: Baiardi Chapel, santa Maria dei Servi, Parma, Italy
Period: 1534-1540
Period: 1534-1540
General Information:
The Madonna with the Long Neck is a fine example of mannerism art movement. The mannerist style can be seen by the lack of harmonious motion and shape, as well as proportions. This can easily be seen by the extreme lack of proper proportion in the virgin and the child. The baby is very large, almost as large as some of the angels adoring the child. The Virgin Mary is shown with a very long neck and a very large body, very out of proportion with the standing angels who would be extremely small in comparison. The artist, Parmigianino, was so eager in making the virgin appear graceful, gave her such a long neck that the painting was named after it. Paintings of this style can be easy to pick out because of the erratic way they are arranged. One side of the Virgin is completely filled with angels. the other side is rather void of anything. Earlier paintings that more readily follow the classical style are more harmoniously filled and flowing, compared to the mannerist style.
Why This Artwork?
This painting was chosen to better articulate the mannerist style of art, as well as to help better explain what it is.