Editing Italian art (section)

=== Mannerism ===
{{Main|Mannerism}}
[[File:Salt Cellar.jpg|thumb|300px|''[[Cellini Salt Cellar]]'', 1543]]

[[Mannerism]] was an elegant, courtly style that emerged in the later stages of the [[Italian Renaissance]]. It flourished particularly in Florence, Italy, where prominent figures such as [[Giorgio Vasari]] and [[Agnolo Bronzino]] were key representatives. The style was later introduced to the French court by [[Rosso Fiorentino]] and [[Francesco Primaticcio]]. The Venetian painter [[Tintoretto]] was also influenced by Mannerism.

Mannerism's characteristic approach to painting, with elongated figures, exaggerated poses, and artificial compositions, influenced other art forms as well. In architecture, [[Giulio Romano]] is one of the most notable examples of Mannerist influence. The Italian sculptor [[Benvenuto Cellini]] and the Flemish-born [[Giambologna]] were central figures in Mannerist sculpture, known for their dynamic and often exaggerated forms.<ref>Eric M. Zafran, Ph.D., Curator, Department of European Paintings and Sculpture, Wadsworth Atheneum.<br> Zafran, Eric M. "Mannerism." ''World Book Advanced.'' World Book, 2011. Web. 1 October 2011.</ref>

Some historians view Mannerism as a decline or distortion of High Renaissance classicism, while others consider it an independent, complete style in its own right. The period is generally dated from around 1520 to 1600, often seen as an intermediary between the High Renaissance and the Baroque era.