2-744-534 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The Great Hercules or Knollenman, 1589. Mannerism, a style that developed in Italy around 1520, can be considered both a continuation of and a reaction against the High Renaissance. While the art of the Italian master Raphael (1483-1520) exemplifies balanced compositions, ideal human proportions, credible perspective, and harmonious integration of the art of antiquity, Mannerist works distort realistic treatment of figures and space. Anatomy is exaggerated and space is illogical, creating an artificial elegance and sophistication. Mannerism soon spread throughout Europe, where it continued to be popular until the early 17th century. The most important northern Mannerist artist was Goltzius, whose style was based upon the exaggerated musculature of figures depicted by Michelangelo (1475-1564).