Mannerism, emerging in 16th century Italy, is an artistic movement characterized by exaggerated and stylized aesthetics, breaking away from the rigor of the High Renaissance. Mannerist artists, such as Parmigianino and Pontormo, explored complex compositions, elaborate poses, and bold colors. Mannerism was criticized for its artificiality but paved the way for later developments such as Baroque. Its influence extended to painting, sculpture, and architecture, contributing to the diversity of Renaissance artistic movements.