Mannerism: 1520-1600

The Early and High Renaissance artists derived their distinguishing traits from a study of the natural world and the formulation of an illustrative science. By the time Mannerism had matured in 1520 (the same year that Raphael died), a huge fountain of knowledge had been created and all previous areas of representational conflict had been resolved. While Renaissance artists had turned to nature to discover their style, the Mannerists turned to art, finding first a style and then a manner.

Mannerist paintings often depict ambiguous spacing and indistinct focal points in compositions made up of numerous clashing colours. Figures are usually distorted or exaggerated, displaying stretched elastic limbs that bend and twist in asymmetrical postures contrasting with uniformly small, oval heads. The result is a mannerism art movement that explores volatility and restlessness, often with nuances of lasciviousness, in opposition to the balanced, naturalism of the High Renaissance.

Our Art on Demand gallery contains the following abstract mannerism prints, posters and canvases: