The intermediate period between the Renaissance and the Baroque period was called the 2nd Renaissance. It brought together artists such as Il Bronzino , Pontormo , Lotto, Laudini, Giambologna, Parmigiano and Vignola . In general,these artists were completely ignored by the public. Even the curious public, knowledgeable and erudite, detested them. Time has passed.
Idols fall, new values come into play.
Raphael was ostracized and, today, is still rather badly viewed. Curiously enough, Il Bronzino, on the other hand, is the subject of research, books and far more numerous exhibitions. Mr. Chastel had the courage to organize this formidable exhibition in the Petit Palais, the Grand Palais and the Louvre simultaneously, bringing together what he was able to obtain from museums in the Netherlands, Italy, England and France. By means of this exhibition and a very thick catalogue, he was able to introduce Mannerism to the general public. When Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael died, Italian society demanded that young artists immemorialize their forefathers' genius and glory by imitating their manners.