The Baroque Era in the Arts

The Baroque Era in the Arts “Baroque” was not a compliment – it originally meant overdone – too many notes in music, too much color in painting, and too grand in architecture; excess, in contrast to Renaissance rationality (discard the “boundaries” of Renaissance art) From Spanish “barroco” (“imperfect pearl”) It has come to include the following definitions: Elaborate ornamentation, ornate Dramatic effects; deep, rich colors in painting Appealing to the spirit through the senses Heightened sensuality combined with spirituality Naturalistic rather than ideal, emotional rather than rational Conflict, paradox and contrast, heightened spirituality, lively sensuality Powerful lighting effects; intense chiaroscuro

Historical Background Post-Reformation: Catholic church seeks to emphasize & glorify spirituality Absolutist monarchs emphasize power & grandeur Three broad periods Early (1600-40) Middle (1640-80) Late (1680-1750) Musically, it begins with Monteverdi & the birth of opera, ends with deaths of Bach & Handel

The old style: Mannerism El Greco

Caravaggio Amor Vincit Omnia (“Love Conquers All”) Light to display drama; chiaroscuro

Bacchus Not afraid to use “pagan” Greek & Roman figures in art

The Calling of Saint Matthew 1599-1600

The Conversion of St. Paul Where is the light coming from? 

The Crucifixion of Saint Peter

The Decapitation of Saint John the Baptist

Judith Beheading Holofernes c. 1598

The Female Caravaggio: Artemesia Gentileschi Recall she worked in father’s studio Was violently raped by another painter her father had hired to tutor her (Orazio) Paints many scenes of violence with women on both sides She was tortured with thumbscrews during the trial to assure she was telling the truth; the only reason he was even brought to trial was because she was a virgin; recall our earlier discussion that in the Renaissance era, rape was not considered particularly significant, more a crime against property

Comparison

Susanna & the Elders

“Joseph’s Bloody Coat Brought to Jacob” Diego Velazquez, 1630

Many baroque artists painted portraits for royalty and the wealthy. Velazquez’s Las Meninas is a famous example. Mirror reflects King & Queen (being painted) Rated by some art historians as “best painting in the world” Madrid palace of King Philip IV, centers on infanta Margarita; Velasquez self-portrait at canvas

Rembrandt – Protestant of the Dutch Realism Movement

Rembrandt How does this painting depict the art and culture of its day (past AP Euro question)?

Rubens is a name to know – “fleshy” subjects – especially women!)

“The Elevation of the Cross” by Peter Paul Rubens 1610-11

Daniel in the Lions’ Den, 1615

Judgment of Paris, 1635

Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus 1618

French Baroque (Begins “Neoclassical Era in Art History) Poussin Neoclassicism is a “return” to the rationality of Renaissance painting, reaction to baroque (which also leads to Rococo, later); “Sabine” is men of Rome taking women for wives from neighboring Sabines Abduction of the Sabine Women

Bernini The Ecstasy of St. Theresa Considered too erotic for the Vatican

The Rape of Proserpina Rape by Hades

Bernini’s “David” Note “action pose!”

“A Bust of Cardinal Richelieu” by Bernini

“A Bust of Louis XIV” by Bernini

Music of the Baroque Era Composers use mixed groups of instruments to perform works of great complexity Music was no longer only functional, it was made to be enjoyed Composers began to search for inspiration for their compositions in not only the church, but in nature Baroque music is very similar to jazz in it’s use of improvisation

Baroque Furniture

A Baroque Room

St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City by Gialorenzo Bernini

Church of Santiago de Compostella, Spain