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Characteristics Of Mannerism In Architecture

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Before the mannerism movement entered Italy in the mid-1600s, the high renaissance period comprised classical inspired architecture or maniera to be the distinguishing quality of the period. The classical inspired architecture consisted of balance, harmony, cohesion of the forms and logic in its principles of design. Its physical characteristics included the centrally planned buildings that consisted of multiple interlocking crosses with each cross having a dome on its centre. To achieve harmony, effective use of colonnades, balustrade and piers under domes was done that led to the architectural form having identical facades. This particular aspect of high renaissance architecture resulted in little exploration and innovation in design as architecture could only be explored to the point of classical rules and tradition.
These principles of design were also applied by the first in line architects of the new saint Peter’s, Donato D’Angelo Bramante …show more content…

The idea of mannerism in architecture is to break away from Vitruvius or the preconceived set of rules under which the architectural beauty of classical era lies. However, due to the functional nature of architecture and its practicality that restricted and limited the exploration and inventiveness of the artists, mannerism or experimentation with the Vitruvius has been done to an extent. The extent, however, has reached considerable heights due to the unwavering hard work and extraordinary creative minds and talents of mannerist artists that could not let this form of art escape the mannerist charm. The artists went past the classical rules of clarity and proportion, and moulded and twisted the architectural elements, breaking their monotonous naturalism into questionable changes, putting artifice out in the open for the people to observe. Artifice that was previously concealed through

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