A period of European art that emerged from the later years of the Italian High Renaissance around 1520. It lasted until about 1580 in Italy, when the Baroque style began to replace it, but Northern Mannerism continued into the early 17th century.

Stylistically, Mannerism encompassed a variety of approaches influenced by, and reacting to, the harmonious ideals associated with artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and early Michelangelo. While High Renaissance explored harmonious ideals, Mannerism wanted to go a step further. Mannerism is notable for its intellectual sophistication as well as its artificial (as opposed to naturalistic) qualities, favouring compositional tension and instability rather than the balance and clarity of earlier Renaissance painting. A Mannerist painting will often exhibit elongated proportions, highly stylised poses and a lack of clear perspective.

Significant Mannerist artists include Tintoretto, El Greco, Titian, Veronese, Benvenuto Cellini and Giuseppe Arcimboldo.