By Megan Lynch The Baroque Period

Baroque Overview Flourished between Flourished between Brought an increased naturalism to Western art Brought an increased naturalism to Western art Brought a new level of emotionalism to Western art Brought a new level of emotionalism to Western art Driven by the wealth of the middle class Driven by the wealth of the middle class Baroque is associated with the following features: Ornateness Spatial Grandeur Theatrical Flamboyance

Baroque Painting Originated in Italy Originated in Italy Artists worked to make the viewer feel as if they were participating in the scene by increasing the expressiveness, especially in religious art Artists worked to make the viewer feel as if they were participating in the scene by increasing the expressiveness, especially in religious art Nature was copied instead of idealized Nature was copied instead of idealized Artists included: Caravaggio Gentileschi Features included: Asymmetric compositions Strong contrasts of light and dark Vigorous brushstrokes Bold, illusionistic effects

Caravaggio ( ) Leading Italian painter of the 17 th century Leading Italian painter of the 17 th century Recreated Christian narratives like they were happening in recognizable places Recreated Christian narratives like they were happening in recognizable places Used: Used: Strong light and dark contrasts Strong light and dark contrasts Theatrical gestures Theatrical gestures Foreshadowing Foreshadowing Naturalism Naturalism Pinwheel arrangement of people Pinwheel arrangement of people Work included: Work included: The Supper at Emmaus The Supper at Emmaus The Crucifixion of Saint Peter The Crucifixion of Saint Peter

Artemisia Gentileschi ( ) Italian female painter following Caravaggio Italian female painter following Caravaggio Challenged female tradition by swaying away from typical female subjects like portraits and still lives Challenged female tradition by swaying away from typical female subjects like portraits and still lives Subjects were usually biblical heroines in violent scenery Subjects were usually biblical heroines in violent scenery Used: Used: Realistic figures Realistic figures Contrast in light and dark Contrast in light and dark Compositions brought viewer up close Compositions brought viewer up close Pinwheel arrangement of figures Pinwheel arrangement of figures Foreshadowing Foreshadowing Intensity Intensity Work included: Work included: Judith Slaying Holofernes Judith Slaying Holofernes

Baroque Sculpture Conveyed dramatic movement and a physical energy by manipulating space and light Conveyed dramatic movement and a physical energy by manipulating space and light The favorite ornamental structure was the fountains, which included dolphins, mermaids, and tritons The favorite ornamental structure was the fountains, which included dolphins, mermaids, and tritons Sculptors included: Sculptors included: Bernini Bernini

Gianlorenzo Bernini ( ) One of the top sculptors of the 17 th century One of the top sculptors of the 17 th century Under his construction, Rome became the “City of Fountains” Under his construction, Rome became the “City of Fountains” Flamboyant style Flamboyant style Used: Used: Naturalism Naturalism Dramatic movement Dramatic movement Intensity Intensity Theatrical effect Theatrical effect Sculptures included: Sculptures included: David David The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa

Baroque Architecture Characterized by: Characterized by: Dynamic spatial contrast Dynamic spatial contrast Inventive illusions Inventive illusions Italian baroque churches were designed in such a way to reflect ideals of Catholic Reformation Italian baroque churches were designed in such a way to reflect ideals of Catholic Reformation Example: I1 Gesu in Rome designed by Giacomo da Vignola Example: I1 Gesu in Rome designed by Giacomo da Vignola Became sacred drama houses Became sacred drama houses Baroque church features: Broad Latin nave Domed crossings Recessed chapels Architects included: Bernini Completed the Piazza (public area in front of Saint Peter’s Basilica) Shaped in a keyhole Courtyard bounded by a colonnade Devotional church activities still practiced here Borromini Pozzo

Francesco Borromini ( ) Most daring baroque architect Most daring baroque architect Designed: Designed: San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (small monastic church) San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (small monastic church) Deeply cut decorative elements Deeply cut decorative elements Oval floor plan and dome Oval floor plan and dome Apex is an illusion to look as if it were deeper than it actually is Apex is an illusion to look as if it were deeper than it actually is

Andrea Pozzo ( ) Linear perspective master Linear perspective master Dramatic foreshadowing master Dramatic foreshadowing master Designed: Designed: Church of Sant'Ignazio in Rome Church of Sant'Ignazio in Rome Illusion ceiling appeared as if it were opening up to the heavens Illusion ceiling appeared as if it were opening up to the heavens

Religion during the Baroque Period A synthesis of the arts promoted the religious beliefs of Catholics and Protestants A synthesis of the arts promoted the religious beliefs of Catholics and Protestants Religious fervor reached a climax during this period, as the Protestant-Catholic conflict in Europe erupted in the 30 years war Religious fervor reached a climax during this period, as the Protestant-Catholic conflict in Europe erupted in the 30 years war

Baroque Music Rome and Venice is were baroque music flourished Rome and Venice is were baroque music flourished Giovanni di Palestrina ( ) created polyphonic Masses and motets which featured skillful counterpoints, clear texts, and regular rhythms Giovanni di Palestrina ( ) created polyphonic Masses and motets which featured skillful counterpoints, clear texts, and regular rhythms Giovanni Gabrieli ( ) created polychoral compositions which gave way to orchestra style Giovanni Gabrieli ( ) created polychoral compositions which gave way to orchestra style Opera was the most extreme expression of baroque music Claudio Monteverdi ( ) Created opera by integrating drama, music, visual arts and music Wrote madrigals, ballets and operas Greatest Italian composer of the 17 th century Composed Orfeo, the first full length opera The first opera house was built in Venice in 1637

Similarities: Baroque Music & Art A wide range of musical dynamics comparable to the stark contrasts of light and dark A wide range of musical dynamics comparable to the stark contrasts of light and dark Echo effects created from offstage voices comparable to the illusionism of Baroque art Echo effects created from offstage voices comparable to the illusionism of Baroque art Tonality provided dramatic focus in music comparable to light providing dramatic focus on a composition Tonality provided dramatic focus in music comparable to light providing dramatic focus on a composition

Science During the Baroque Period Discoveries in the sciences allowed humankind to better understand the natural universe Discoveries in the sciences allowed humankind to better understand the natural universe Foundations developed for: Foundations developed for: Analytical Geometry Analytical Geometry Probability Probability Integral calculus Integral calculus Some great scientists included: Some great scientists included: Galileo Galileo Kepler Kepler Engaged in the study of astronomy Engaged in the study of astronomy Developed the laws of planetary motion Developed the laws of planetary motion

Galileo Discovered a number of natural laws Discovered a number of natural laws Gravity Gravity Uniform accelerated motion Uniform accelerated motion Oscillation Oscillation Invented the microscope Invented the microscope Constructed a telescope Constructed a telescope Observed the planets Observed the planets v

The Baroque Period By Megan Lynch