Baroque

Baroque

Baroque “Baroque” a French term meaning irregular shaped pearl Originally a derogatory term used for the art works created with inherent strangeness and extravagance Only recently has the term also been used to include the music, which is anything but slightly flawed

What was going on in the world? English settle Jamestown Galileo confirms the Earth is round Louis XIV rules France Sir Isaac Newton publishes his Laws of Universal Gravitation George Washington born French & Indian War

Origins Until the Baroque period, the Catholic Church was the only religious power in Europe During the Mannerism movement we saw a revolt, against the Catholic Church beginning the Reformation New rulers wanted a style signifying glory and artists desired to be more expressive Originated in Italy

Characteristics Emotion Religious fervor (intense dedication) Realism Drama Strong Light and Shadow Detailed perspective Exploration of form (elaborateness, exaggeration) but in control Virtuosity Complex and ornamented Diagonals

Architecture & Sculpture Inspired by wealth and splendor Rounded arches and domes Carved and painted ceilings Real gold paint

St. Peter’s Cathedral The Catholic Church countered the Reformation and demonstrated its power by building St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome, Italy

St. Peter’s Cathedral St. Peter’s Cathedral, with its great dome, is considered one of the architectural masterpieces of the Baroque period in Europe Converges to a circular center Strong lines and borders Interestingly directed light rays

Bernini’s “David” "Bernini criticized Michelangelo for failing to make his figures appear as if made of flesh, and bragged that stone was 'like pasta' in his hands–that he could fashion marble like wax. And indeed he could. His genius for manipulating the act of perception–by altering perspective, or highlighting certain details in a rendering, or using materials and techniques to blur the lines between sculpture and painting–allowed Bernini to achieve new levels of authenticity in bringing a scene to life." - Isacoff, Stuart, Temperament, Vintage Books, 2001, p. 23. David 1624 Marble

Artists Many artists of the Baroque Period were accomplished in several art forms such as painting, sculpture, and interior designs of buildings. IMPORTANT ARTISTS Caravaggio Gentileschi Peter Paul Rubens Rembrandt Vermeers

Murderous, difficult personality perhaps as notorious as famous worked from life directly in oil, no intervening sketching controversial style – considered sacrilegious by some used contemporary peasants & common settings for Biblical stories followers called “Caravaggisti” reputation languished; rehabilitated in 20 th -Century CHIAROSCURO: Italian term meaning light to dark Caravaggio The Crucifixion of Saint Peter 1601 Oil on canvas

Murderous Caravaggio The Calling of St. Matthew 1600 Oil on canvas The Calling of St. Matthew Story of Matthew, one of Jesus’ disciples who was a Tax collector The money-focused man was asked to give up his possessions to follow Jesus’ path Depicts the moment Matthew realizes he is being called to Jesus’ service Caravaggio’s first important commission Two sections: right vertical rectangle and left horizontal block Christ’s hand distinguishes the two sections Strong light and shadow creates drama and the feeling of immediacy Diagonal light source Vivid colour, bold contrast, various texts (soft fur, velvet)

Female artist A Caravaggisti Focused on making woman protagonists or equal to men Not typical depiction of women, she made them powerful, rebellious and courageous Judith Slaying Holoferns Drunken general of invaded army being brutally decapitated Judith is a powerful woman determined to get revenge Her angle and arm placement depict precision and perfection Onlooking woman is utterly absorbed by the event immensely tangled arms is the focal point Background recedes to darkness Judith Slaying Holoferns 1620 Oil on canvas Gentileschi

Emphasize movement, colour and sensuality Mostly religious and mythological subjects Fond of painting full-figured women Rape of the Daughter of Leucippus Depicts ravishing, astonishing men Women's excess flesh was a sign of prosperity Tones used in flesh makes skin look superbly realistic Men, Castor and Pollux although committing a heinous crime, married the girls and they each bore a son It is said viewers can enjoy the triumph of the event because they did the decent thing Rubens Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus 1618 Oil on canvas

Thought of himself as one of the most important artists in history Known for seamlessly melding the earthly and the spiritual Dr. Tulp’s Anatomy Lesson commissioned piece Painted from life, body of an executed criminal Audiences watches the event Focus on Dr. Tulp by creating a pyramid Counter pyramid of watching figures Body seems to have intrinsic luminosity Dr. Tulp’s Anatomy Lesson 1632 Oil on canvas Rembrandt Background recedes into shadow Chiaroscuro Wanted to branch away from static uniformity, we see movement and depth

Often depicted women in thought provoking stillness Girl with a Pearl Earring Believed to be Vermeer’s eldest daughter He reused her facial features in a variety of his works Intimate gaze, mysterious eyes Vivid colouring Turban was a popular prop at the time allowing artists to showcase their skills Turban also depicts international influences Signature ultramarine blue Unique blend of creamy tones Use of fine brush strokes to display texture Vermeer Study of a Young Woman 1667 Oil on canvas

Rococo