The Late Renaissance or Mannerism in art emerges following the death of Raphael Sanzio in 1520, a new style that emerged in Florence and Rome. Focused on the human figure, Mannerism in art depicted forms in contorted poses with more emotional content, a somewhat disturbing unrest, an almost surreal feeling evident.

The Late Renaissance or Mannerism is the term assigned to certain aspects of artistic style, mainly Italian, in the period between the High Renaissance of the early 16th century and the beginnings of Baroque art in the early 17th. From the third decade of the 16th century, political and religious tensions erupted violently in Italy, particularly in Rome, which was sacked in 1527 by the imperial troops of Charles V. The school of Bramante and Raphael, which had produced the High Renaissance style, was dispersed throughout Italy as the artists fled from devastated Rome. Mannerism appeared and prevailed in some regions until the end of the 16th century, when the Baroque style developed. Mannerism was antithetical to many of the principles of the High Renaissance. In place of harmony, clarity, and repose it was characterized by extreme sophistication, complexity, and novelty.

The achievement of creation achieved in the late Renaissance was the culmination of centuries of striving. As artists could not hope to improve on the achievements of Michelangelo and Raphael at their peak, they had to find new approaches. As a result, Mannerism was born. This was a deliberately intellectual approach, aimed at flouting the accepted rules, notably by distorting the senses of scale and perspective, exaggerating anatomical details, adopting unlikely poses for the figures, and using unnaturally harsh colours.

The difference of style between the High Renaissance and Mannerism can be seen in the work of Baldassarre Peruzzi, who was active in both periods. Unlike his High Renaissance Villa Farnesina, Peruzzi's design for the Palazzo Massimo alle Colonne (about 1535) in Rome shows indications of Mannerism.

Rejecting the equilibrium and classical ease of the High Renaissance, mannerism in art reflected the general turmoil in Europe present at the time with the sack of Rome in 1527, the Reformation, and new outbreaks of plague. Mannerism in art, gaining popularity in much of Europe and northern Italy, featured the use of distorted figures in complex, impossible poses, and strange artificial colors. Bridging the gap between the High Renaissance Art and the Baroque Art style of the 17th century, the style of Mannerism in art came to an end around 1600.

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