Rest on the Flight to Egypt

Title: Rest on the Flight to Egypt

Artist: Parmigianino

Completion Date: 1524

Style: Mannerism (Late Renaissance)

Mannerism is a period of European art that emerged from the later years of Italian High Reneaissance (around 1520). This period lasted until about 1580 in Italy, until a style similar to Baroque replaced it. However, Northern Mannerism continued into the early 17th century throughout most of Europe. Mannerism involves a variety of approaches influenced by harmonious ideals and restrained naturalism and may include: clashing colours, figures with abnormally long limbs, emotion, and bizarre themes. 

Girolamo Francesco Mazzola, also known as Parmigianino, was an Italian Mannerist painter and etcher born in Parma (hence the nickname). He painted accomplished frescoes displayed in two chapels in Parma as early as 1522-23. In 1524, he moved to Rome and his work became an even greater success under the influence of artists such as Raphael and Michelangelo. Parmigianino was later imprisoned for breach of contract when he failed to complete his work.

I chose to use this painting because I think that the colours are very different and beautiful and I thought that the lighting would be interesting to mimic. I wanted to figure out how to use studio lighting to achieve these colours, and at first had a somewhat difficult time doing so. However, when I figured out how to accomplish this and then incorporated my photos into this painting with Photoshop, I began to understand more about lighting and how to adjust it to look right and compliment your subject. 

Camera used: Canon Rebel T2i with an 18-55 mm lens

Aperture: f8 

Film speed - 1/60