Late Renaissance

The Late Renaissance, roughly from the 1520s to 1600, saw the emergence of Mannerism in art. This style developed as a reaction to the harmonious classicism and idealized naturalism of the High Renaissance masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.12

Mannerist art is characterized by artificiality, elegance, and a focus on technical skill. Figures often appear elongated with small heads, and poses can seem complex or contrived. The deep, linear perspective of the High Renaissance is flattened, and colors can be intense and unnatural. This style originated in Florence and Rome and spread throughout Europe.1

While the Renaissance spirit continued in northern Italy and Europe, Mannerism represented a shift in artistic expression, moving away from the balanced ideals of the earlier period.34