Until the 20th Century, critics and scholars had considered the work of the Mannerists to be “second-rate,” even insignificant and were reluctant to include this movement in the study of Art History.

Now that you have learned about Mannerism do you think this period style should be considered stylistically and/or culturally significant? If so, why? If not, why not?

Helpful Tip

Be sure to consider what social, historical, political and artistic changes occurred in Italy during this time period and how these changes may have affected the Mannerists and their artwork.

Make sure you use these words.

1. Allegory

A symbolic representation or story where the meaning in not immediately clear.

2. Ambiguous space

Refers to compositional arrangement that lacks “believable space” such as one-point perspective; fore, middle and background, etc.

3. Mannerism

Although influenced by the “Manner” of the High Renaissance Masters, Mannerism is a style that emphasizes artifice and contrived imagery not derived directly from nature. The characteristics of Mannerism include hyper-idealization, distorted human forms; staged, awkward movement; exaggerated poses; crowded, unorganized compositions; nervous, erratic line; sour color palettes, and ambiguous space. As for subject matter and theme, the Mannerists favored provocative nudes, mythological subjects, allegories, and Catholic mysticism.

4. Sack of Rome

The 1527 attack of Rome by Spain and France where an estimated 45,000 men, women and children either fled the city or were killed by the army of Charles V. Roman churches, shrines and other historic monuments were looted or destroyed. Only the Sistine Chapel was spared.