Madonna with the Long Neck 1540

Parmigianino's *Madonna with the Long Neck* (1540) is a striking example of Mannerism, an artistic movement characterized by elongated figures, distorted proportions, and a sense of artificiality. The painting features the Virgin Mary with an impossibly long neck, holding the Christ Child in a seemingly unnatural pose. The composition is also highly complex, with multiple figures and objects arranged in a seemingly illogical way. This, together with the atmospheric landscape, creates a sense of unease and mystery that distinguishes Mannerist works from those of the High Renaissance.