There was a lot going across the world from 1550-1625.The Reformation and Counter-Reformation was in high gear, European colonization of the "new world" was unfolding, William Shakespere was born and died. Art historians calls this chapter of the High Renaissance MANNERISM.Mannerism comes from the Italian word "maniera" which simply meant "style," but was later associated with "artificiality, self-conscious virtuosity, and capricious elegance" (Edward Luci-Smith, "Art and Civilization, copyright 1992, p. 222).Art from this period is heavily focused on Christianity and mythology, compositions are usually very busy, and color is very bold. Here is an overview of some of the greatest fine art developed from this period of time.