Which artistic value is least apparent in mannerist paintings?

Question:

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

True Creativity.
In Mannerism we encounter the first decadent phase of a modern Western art movement; we shall use it as an exemplar for later similar periods. All decadent periods, in all cultures, display the same characteristics:

1. Excessive elegance; attenuation of form
2. Excessive decorativeness; the primacy of pattern over composition
3. Misplaced erudition; quoting from previous artists rather than true creativity
4. Lack of seriousness; self-indulgence
5. Sentimentality
http://www.emasary.com/art/book/chap4.ht...

Interesting reading below:
http://www.ubishops.ca/baudrillardstudie...
http://www.malaspina.org/home.asp?topic=...
http://johnpowers.us/sight/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/mannerism...
http://ca.search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf...