Mannerists (Greek vase painting)

In archaeological scholarship, the term Mannerists describes a large group of Attic red-figure vase painters, stylistically linked by their affected painting style.

In their artwork, the figures seem elongated and have small heads, the garment folds are falling stiff, resembling stairs, and the images are framed with red-figure style ornamentations, such as detailed furniture and drapery.

Thus, Achilles and Ajax playing a boardgame, a popular black-figure motif introduced by Exekias, are depicted often.

Influenced by other contemporary painters, the second generation of mannerists favoured domestic scenes.

The middle phase, between about 450 and 425 BC, is dominated by the Nausikaa-Hephaistos Group, comprising seven artists.