Mannerism: Michelangelo and High Renaissance

Mannerism is a period of European art which emerged from the later years of the Italian High Renaissance around 1520. It lasted until about 1580 in Italy, when a more Baroque style began to replace it, but continued into the seventeenth century throughout much of Europe.[1] Stylistically, Mannerism encompasses a variety of approaches influenced by, and reacting to, the harmonious ideals and restrained naturalism associated with artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and early Michelangelo. Mannerism is notable for its intellectual sophistication as well as its artificial (as opposed to naturalistic) qualities.(wikipedia)

Mannerism, was a colorful artistic style, using vibrant, bright colors, which was highly regarded after the period of the High Renaissance. It is epitomized by the highly stylized and technical works of Michelangelo Buonarroti and Raphael, which stylized the human anatomy and emphasized their muscles. (Art History - Byzantine to Romanticism to Op Art to Modern Art - History of Art; http://www.masters-gallery.com/04_History/04_HistoryTXT.html)

During the Mannerist period, architects experimented with using architectural forms to emphasize solid and spatial relationships. The Renaissance ideal of harmony gave way to freer and more imaginative rhythms. The best known architect associated with the Mannerist style was Michelangelo, who is credited with inventing the giant order, a large pilaster that stretches from the bottom to the top of a facade. He used this in his design for the Campidoglio in Rome. Prior to the 20th century, the term Mannerism had negative connotations, but it is now used to describe the historical period in more general non-judgmental terms
In Italy, a new style emerged called Mannerism. Italian artist experimented with spatial sense and proportions in order to express the actions in the painting more beautifully.
One artist in Italy, Titian, was a master at using color.