Mannerist

Mannerist

Main article: Mannerist

Giambologna, Rape of the Sabine Women, 1583, Florence, Italy, 13' 6" high,Marble

During the Mannerist period, more abstract representations were praised, (such as the "figura serpentinata" or "twisted figure") giving more thought to color and composition rather than realistic portrayal of the subjects in the piece. This is exemplified in Giambologna's Abduction/Rape of the Sabine Women, where the figures are not positioned in a way which is at all comfortable, or even humanly possible, but the position and emotion still come across. Another exemplar of the form is Benvenuto Cellini's 1540 salt cellar of gold and ebony, featuring Neptuneand Amphitrite (earth and water) in elongated form and uncomfortable positions (implausible poses).