Mannerism Artists Index

Mannerism is an artistic style that emerged in Italy during the late Renaissance period and lasted until the early 17th century. It was a reaction against the classical idealism and naturalism of the High Renaissance and emphasized a deliberate distortion of form and space and a heightened sense of drama and emotion. The style originated in Florence and Rome in the early 16th century and spread throughout central and northern Italy and eventually to much of Europe.

Artists in 16th century Florence and Rome moved away from classical influences and began to develop a more intellectual and expressive approach. This period marked an imaginative period in art after the climax of perfection reached by naturalistic painting during the Renaissance. Mannerist artists employed exaggerated poses, elongated proportions, twisted and contorted figures, and a complex and often obscure iconography. They were also fascinated with allegory and symbolism and often included elaborate themes and hidden meanings in their works.

Mannerism emerged during a period of enormous social, economic, and political change, which saw the spread of Protestantism and the wars of religion that followed. The style quickly spread throughout Italy and much of Europe, influencing artists and architects in the years that followed. Some of the most notable Mannerist artists include El Greco, Tintoretto, and Arcimboldo.