soft style

In art, a form of International Gothic flourishing in Germany in the late 14th and 15th centuries. It is characterized by harmonious compositions, flowing draperies, delicate rhythms, and the sentimental refinement of its figures (often the Virgin Mary).

It was mainly characteristic of the painters of the Cologne School, Stefan Lochner being a notable exponent. It was followed in the 15th century by a sharper realism which has been termed the ‘hard style’ and is exemplified by Konrad Witz.