Mannerism is a period of European art that lasted from around 1520 to the 1580s, though Northern mannerism lasted into the 17th century. The human form was frequently depicted in unusual settings and in exaggerated poses in this style of art. El Greco, Michelangelo Buonarroti, and Parmigianino are some of the most well-known mannerist painters.
Michelangelo Buonarroti, though not strictly a mannerist painter, was considered one of the forefathers of the style. Michelangelo’s personal style, which was often characterized by a sense of grandeur and passion, began to be imitated by other artists near the end of the Italian High Renaissance. Bright, clashing color schemes, unnatural poses and anatomical features in human figures, and dramatic scenes as backdrops were some of the key features often replicated by subsequent artists.
Parmigianino, an Italian painter, was one of the mannerist painters who drew inspiration from Michelangelo. This artist was best known for his religious works, which featured graceful but unnaturally elongated figures. Although he is best known for his religious works, he also produced numerous portraits, etchings, and woodcuts. Trompe l’oeil, a technique that involves creating a realistic image with a three-dimensional optical illusion, was frequently used in these pieces.
Although Michelangelo may have started this unusual art movement, El Greco is one of the most well-known mannerist painters. El Greco was originally trained in the Byzantine style in Crete, but after spending time in Venice, he quickly learned to use bright, dramatic colors. This artist picked up other key mannerist characteristics after moving to Rome and then Spain. Many of his paintings, for example, used unusual perspective points, and his human figures were frequently turned and twisted in unnatural ways.
Despite being born in the early days of the mannerist movement, Giuseppe Arcimboldo established himself as one of the most distinctive mannerist painters. Unlike many other artists of the time, he preferred to work on natural and scientific subjects rather than religious themes. He created a number of uncanny and symbolic portraits primarily made up of vegetables, flowers, and fruits, which are sometimes classified as surrealist. He was frequently copied during his lifetime, but his work was not fully recognized as a great artist until the 1920s, when it was rediscovered.