- The influence of Mannerism in artistic expressions in New Spain and Peru
- Baroque movement in New Spain and Peru
- References
The artistic expression in New Spain and Peru had a marked influence of two European artistic trends: the Mannerist and Baroque art. During the colonial period, the Spanish monarchy established viceroyalties in these two geographical areas.
The arts that evolved in these regions were deeply intertwined with the state religion of Roman Catholicism.
The Virgin and Child, by Bernardo Bitti, a highly influential Mannerist
However, the models introduced by Spain and its Church diverged somewhat. Some factors associated with local peculiarities led to certain artistic differences.
It can be said then that the artistic movements were also part of the process of miscegenation that occurred in the New World.
The influence of Mannerism in artistic expressions in New Spain and Peru
Mannerism emerged in Rome and Florence between 1510 and 1520, in the last years of the High Renaissance. The term is derived from the Italian word maniera which means "style" or "in the manner of."
This movement was a transition between the idealized style typical of Renaissance art and the theatricality of the Baroque.
The concept applies mainly to painting, but it also applies to sculpture and architecture. In general, Mannerist painting tends to be more artificial and less naturalistic than Renaissance painting.
In the seventeenth century, baroque art had already been established in Europe. However, due to natural delay, Mannerism impacts artistic expressions in New Spain and Peru towards the end of the 16th and early 17th centuries.
In America this artistic movement had different characteristics from those of Europe. At first the artistic expressions in New Spain and Peru had the direct influence of artists from the European continent.
Thus, the Italian mannerist artists Bernardo Bitti, Angelino Medoro and Mateo Pérez de Alesio arrived in Peru.
His contemporaries Simón Pereyns and Andrés de la Concha, part of the so-called educated generation, arrived in Mexico.
However, already in American territory they are isolated and subjected to the iron control of the Church.
Furthermore, his little contact with European trends consists only of a few engravings brought from the other side of the Atlantic. His disciples create their own art workshops without the support of the European sphere.
His works show elongated figures with unnatural poses typical of Mannerism. But this characteristic is not so pronounced due to ecclesiastical precepts.
Baroque movement in New Spain and Peru
In the middle of the seventeenth century the Baroque style was already reflected in the artistic expressions of New Spain and Peru.
It was a more realistic style, without the fanciful colors, elongated proportions, and illogical spatial relationships. His paintings and sculptures depicted religious events in the most real way possible.
At the beginning of this artistic movement the scenes were dramatic, with non-idealized figures and on a large scale.
In New Spain and Peru, baroque art was inspired by the works of flamenco Rubens.
Local artists tried to capture the emotions of their viewers and actively participate in the mission of the Church. In this way, religious themes dominated the scene.
However, native artists (including mulattos and indigenous people) reflected clearly Latin American themes.
In the late Baroque a style called mestizo baroque developed. This combined techniques of both tendencies.
For example, in the Mixtec-Puebla styles of Mexico and the Tiwanaku-Huari of Peru, pre-Columbian stone and wood carving techniques were used.
References
- Hecht, J. (2000). Arts of the Spanish Americas, 1550–1850. In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Encyclopedia of Art History. (s / f). Mannerism. Retrieved on December 17, 2017, from visual-arts-cork.com
- Arellano, F. (1988). Hispanic American art. Caracas: Andrés Bello Catholic University.
- Manrique, JA (2011). The "Americanized" mannerism: engraving and its influence on painting. Retrieved on December 17, 2017, from dadun.unav.edu
- History of Peru. (s / f). Art in the Viceroyalty. Retrieved on December 17, 2017, from historiaperuana.pe
- Scott, JF (2017, October 26). Latin American art. Retrieved on December 17, 2017, from britannica.com