Baroque Art

The Ornate Age Varied from area to area, but most common element was a sensitivity to and absolute mastery of light to achieve maximum emotional impact Poussin, “The Holy Family on the Steps”

The beginnings Began in Rome around 1600 Attempt during the Counter Reformation to bring worshipers back to the Catholic Church Spread to France In Catholic countries like Flanders, religious art flourished In Protestant lands, religious imagery was forbidden (portraits, still lifes, landscapes, and scenes from daily life)

Caravaggio Made saints and miracles look like ordinary people and everyday events Advocated “direct painting” from nature Use of perspective brings viewer into the action

The Calling of St. Matthew

Artemisia Gentileschi Student of Caravaggio First female artist to be widely known and appreciated Raped at age 19 Subjected to humiliating trial where she was tortured with thumbscrews to recant

Bernini Sculpture in motion Masterpiece is “The Ecstasy of St. Theresa” in Rome

Flemish(S. Netherlands) Baroque Remained Catholic Religious paintings Peter Paul Rubens main character here Rubens painted more than 2,000 paintings “The Descent from the Cross” Used Full-figured women

The Adoration of the Magi

Dutch Baroque Northern Netherlands Religious art forbidden Realistic style Still life began in post-Reformation Netherlands Landscapes also were used

Rembrandt Etching Paintings Created nearly 100 self-portraits Painting style divided into two periods

Early Style (1622-42) Late style (1643-69) Used dramatic light/dark contrasts Used golden-brown tones, subtle shading Design seemed to burst frame Static, brooding atmosphere Scenes featured groups of figures Scenes simplified with single subject Based on physical action Implied psychological reaction Vigorous, melodramatic tone Quiet, solemn mood Highly finished, detailed technique Painted with broad, thick strokes

Vermeer Died bankrupt at the age of 43, leaving a widow and 11 children Often applied paint in dabs and pricks so that the raised surface reflected more light Typical painting had a neat, spare room lit from a window on the left, figure doing domestic task