Manneristen

Manneristen refers to artists and style associated with Mannerism, an artistic period that followed the High Renaissance in the 16th century. The movement emerged in the late 1500s in Italy and spread across Europe, influencing painting, sculpture, and architecture. Mannerism is characterized by elongation of figures, exaggerated poses, unusual spatial arrangements, and a heightened sense of artificiality and virtuosity. Pairs of unusual, often ambiguous perspectives and exaggerated proportions give the works a sense of tension and sophistication, while restrained use of color and classical forms create an affectively charged aesthetic.

Key Italian painters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo are considered early influences. The late Renaissance masters later experimented with composition and anatomy, creating the style now identifying the Mannerists. In Florence, artists such as Pontormo, Parmigianino, and Rosso Fiorentino experimented with elongated figures and sophisticated manipulation of space, often injecting a sense of emotional intensity or intrigue. In Rome, artists such as Francesco da Farnesio and Giulio Romano were prominent, producing groundbreaking decorations and frescoes that highlighted the style.

In Northern Europe, the Mannerist period brought new patterns and shuffling of forms, with Dutch and Flemish artists such as Pieter Aertsen and Maarten Janssens creating insistent, pseudo-ecclesiastical scenes. Across the continent, regional artists and schools, such as the Spanish Mannerists Juan de Flandes and Francisco Pacheco, combined influences from Italy and local traditions. The style persisted into the early Baroque and still influenced 18th‑century artists who sought to challenge conventional compositions. Though often contented in a period of upheaval, Mannerism fostered a spirit of experimentation and psychological sophistication that resonated across the artistic styles that followed.