Baroque is considered to be the most extravagant and opulent era in the history of art. “Artists now termed as Baroque traveled to Rome from all over Europe to study the masterpieces of Classical antiquity and the High Renaissance…”(p. 46). The emphasis was placed on emotion and dynamism, rather than rationality and stasis. The most common element was a sensitivity to and absolute mastery of light to achieve maximum emotional impact. It expanded the role of art into everyday life: seascapes, still lifes, interiors and animals. BAROQUE THE ORNATE AGE 1600 – 1750 By Arlene Ireland

Caravaggio, “The Conversion of St. Paul, ” c (oil on canvas; 230 x 165 cm) - light and dark contrasts -hard focus and light show the veins on servant’s legs, rivets on armor -horse’s rear-end (shock value or something else?) -traditionally painted with Christ on a throne surrounded by angels j/jcjpc/vol6is3/st- paul.html

Italian Baroque: Caravaggio (1571 – 1610) Most original painter of 17 th century. Specialized in large religious works. Secularized religious art: made saints and miracles seem commonplace. Intentionally tried to shock or offend others with his art; disdainful of artistic convention and tradition; engaged in violent and criminal behaviors. Caravaggio’s style: “il tenebroso” (in a “dark manner”) due to his preference for shadowy backgrounds. Gianlorenzo Bernini (1598 – 1610) Considered to be the greatest sculptor of the Baroque period. Bernini conveyed motion and emotion to overwhelm the viewer. Architect, painter, playwright, composer, theater designer, wrote comedies and operas. Francesco Borromini (1599 – 1667) Architecture – trademark was alternating convex and concave surfaces to create the illusion of movement; example-page 49 in text.

Bernini, “The Ecstasy of St. Theresa,” (marble) The sculpture is considered to be Bernini’s masterpiece. Sculpture in movement. It represents St. Theresa “swooning on a cloud, an expression of mingled ecstasy and exhaustion on her face.” “The saint and the angel appear to be floating on swirling clouds…golden rays of light pour down from…heaven.”

Rubens, “The Decent from the Cross,” c. 1612, Antwerp Cathedral (oil on canvas) Flemish Baroque: (modern day Belgium) Sir Peter Paul Rubens (1577 – 1640). Described as a ‘rare genius’. Painter and a diplomat. Fluent in six languages. Invented the genre of hunting scenes. May be best known for full-bodied, sensual nudes. “The Decent from the Cross” established Rubens as the foremost religious painter. Traits of Baroque style. Theatrical lighting with ominously dark sky. Glaring focus is on Christ. Curvilinear rhythms lead the eye to the central figure of Christ. Tragic theme elicits a powerful response from viewer. Art/17_Baroque/Rubens/Rubens.htm

Rembrandt, “The Nightwatch,” 1642, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. (oil on canvas; 363 x 437 cm) Dutch Baroque: This painting shows an example of his late style ( ): used golden-brown tones, subtle shading; static, brooding atmosphere; scenes with simplified single subject; implied psychological reaction; solemn mood, painted with broad, thick strokes. Original title: 'Company of Frans Banning Cocq and Willem van Ruytenburch’.

Dutch Baroque: Religious art was forbidden. Artists painted for the common person: the butcher, baker and the blacksmith all wanted paintings for their shops. During the 17 th century there were more than 500 painters in Holland working on still life alone. Dutch baroque style was realistic: still lifes, seascapes, interiors, animals. Landscape views were established as deserving its own artistic treatment. The three great masters were Hals, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. Frans Hals ( ) Ability to capture fleeting expressions on his subjects. Rembrandt van Rijn ( ) Successful portrait painter, accomplished etcher. Two distinct styles: – Early style, c : dramatic light/dark contrasts, design seemed to burst from frame. – Late style, c : subtle shading, quiet mood, static, brooding atmosphere. Johannes Vermeer ( ) “Master of Light” His keen perception of visual reality, use of perfect colors and soft light elevated his subjects above the banal. His work does not represent a central idea, passion or event; it is his use of light that roams over various surfaces that is his true subject. He used a “camera obscura” – a dark box with a pinhole opening that would project an image onto paper.

Vermeer, “The Kitchenmaid,” c (oil on canvas; 45.5 x 41 cm) His method of defining forms was not by lines but by using beads of light, notice the rim of the milk pitcher. Extremely detailed in his work as evidenced by the holes, stains and a nail on the wall. SK-A-2344?lang=en

Baroque art throughout Europe tended to be larger than life – full of motion and emotion. Rather than imitate Italian masterpieces, each country developed it own distinctive style and emphasis. Heyday:Emphasis: Patron: Style: Qualities: ITALIAN Religious Works Church DynamicDrama, Intensity Movement FLEMISH Altar Pieces Church, FloridSensuality Monarch DUTCH Portraits, Still Lifes, People VirtuosoVisual Accuracy, LandscapesStudies of Light SPANISH Court Portraits Monarch RealisticDignity ENGLISH Portraits of Aristocracy Upper Class RestrainedElegance FRENCH Classical Landscapes and Monarch PretentiousOrder and Decorative ArchitectureOrnament