Mannerism is a contentious stylistic label among art historians, and no definitions survive much examination. Because the definitions are usually set up as oppositions to High Renaissance conventions, anything that doesn't fit the latter rubric is shuffled into 'Mannerism,' including, notably, playfulness and jokes, of which Reniassance patrons were fond. Hence, main palaces and houses are often identified as being executed in a sober, "Renaissance" style while the casino or country house is identified as a "Mannerist" building with "Mannerist" paintings.
Pontormo?'s [Joseph in Egypt]? stood in garish colors and disunified time and space. Neither the clothing, nor the buildings - not even the colors - accurately represented the Bible story of Joseph. It was wrong, but it stood out as an accurate representation of society's feelings.
Rosso? painted with too much action, his pictorial movement seemed out of control. He also introduced a new form of portraiture?, which concealed the character of his subjects. A drastic change from portraits, which had previously revealed who the subject was.
Bronzino? pushed the envelope, showing that which was condemned as attractive. He adored the paradox when a single truth had disintegrated. Giorgione?'s Tempest? was just that, with no clue left as to what it meant or why it was even there. Art began to gain its own value.
Tintoretto?'s [Last Supper]? epitomized Mannerism by taking Jesus and the table out of the middle of the room. He showed all that was happening and even gave [Judas Iscariot]? a halo. In sickly, disorienting colors he painted a scene of confusion that somehow separated the angels from the real world. He had removed the world from God's reach. His [El Greco]? attempted to express the [religious tension]? with exaggerated Mannerism. This exaggeration would serve to cross over the Mannerist? line and be applied to Classicism.