Define the word 'mannerism'. [MEG 101 Prerestoration]

Mannerism is a style of art that emerged in the late Renaissance period in Europe, particularly in Italy, during the 16th century. It is characterized by a heightened sense of elegance, artificiality, and self-consciousness, and it often involves exaggeration, distortion, and a departure from naturalism. Mannerism is marked by a deliberate rejection of the classicism and balance of the High Renaissance style that preceded it, and it is often associated with a sense of anxiety and tension, as well as a preoccupation with style and technique. Mannerist works often feature elongated figures, exaggerated poses and expressions, and complex compositions that suggest movement and theatricality. Mannerism is often seen as a transitional style between the Renaissance and the Baroque period that followed, and it has had a lasting impact on the development of Western art.