BAROQUE ART

Baroque was a reaction against the artificial stylization of Mannerism. It spread throughout Europe during the 17th century. Among the great Baroque masters were the Italian painter Caravaggio and sculptor Bernini, the Flemish artist Rubens, Velazquez from Spain, and Rembrandt, the greatest of all Dutch painters. Baroque art is identified by realistic subjects that depict spectacular action and generate powerful emotions. Religious, mystical and historical subjects, which were often propaganda for the Church or State, were brought to life with characters in contemporary clothing, by naturalistic painting of outstanding virtuosity, dramatic lighting (chiaroscuro) and bold asymmetric and diagonal compositions.

The Stigmatization of Saint Francis Caravaggio 1596 (Oil on canvas)

Supper at Emmaus Caravaggio, Oil on canvas 54 3/4 x 76 3/4 in., National Gallery, London

Judith Beheading Holofernes Caravaggio, 1598, Rome Oil on canvas 56 3/4 x 76 3/4 in.

Caravaggio 1598 Oil on canvas 56 3/4 x 76 3/4 in. Galleria Nazionale dell'Arte Antica, Rome Judith, (a woman embodying the power of the people of Israel to defeat the enemy, though superior in numbers, by means of cunning and courage) sought out Holofernes in his tent, got him drunk, then beheaded him. The sight of their commander's bloodstained head on the battlements put the enemy to flight. The original bare breasts of Judith were later covered by the semi-transparent blouse Judith Beheading Holofernes

The Conversion of Saint Paul Caravaggio, , Rome Oil on canvas 90 1/2 x 70 in

Flemish Baroque (This was the Catholic section of the Netherlands. Notice the Spanish and Counter-Reformation influence)

The Elevation of the Cross Peter Paul Rubens Antwerp

The Descent from the Cross Peter Paul Rubens Antwerp

Prometheus Bound Peter Paul Rubens 1610 / 1612 Philadelphia Museum of Art

Fall of Man Peter Paul Rubens 1629 Prado, Spain

Three Graces Peter Paul Rubens 1635 Prado, Spain

Bottocelli’s Primavera, 1482

ROCOCO ART

Rococo is a term that derives from the French word ‘rocaille’ which means rock-work, referring to a style of interior decoration that swirls with arrangements of curves and scrolls. The style was essentially French but spread throughout Europe. As Mannerism was a stylistic reaction to Renaissance art, so Rococo was a decorative response to the realism of Baroque. While some authorities consider Rococo to be a refined, elegant, and allegorical style, others judge it as pompous, indulgent and pretentious. Notable Rococo artists were Watteau, Boucher and Fragonard in France, Tiepolo, Guardi and Canaletto in Italy, and to some extent Hogarth in England.

The Music Room from Norfolk House, St James's Square, London Rococo design is often not symmetrical. Curved forms are common in Rococo. They often resemble the letters S and C

Bavaria, GermanyWeiskirche Basilica at Ottobeuren

Venus and Cupid Francois Boucher Boucher, pastoral and mythological scenes, work embodies the frivolity and sensuousness of the rococo style

The Swing By Jean-Honore Fragonard, 1760 It is considered to be one of the masterpieces of the rococo era, and is Fragonard's best known work.

NEO-CLASSIC ART

Neoclassicism was a reaction against the pomposity of Rococo. This was the Age of the Enlightenment and political, social and cultural revolution were in the air. Artists needed a serious art for serious times and once again they looked back to the art of Antiquity as their model. Inspired by the archaeological discoveries (a new science) at Herculaneum and Pompeii, Neoclassicism had a historical accuracy that earlier classical revivals lacked. Historical scenes of heroism and virtue were used as patriotic propaganda or allegories on contemporary circumstances. Jacques Louis David and Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres were the outstanding virtuosos of Neoclassical painting.

Death of Socrates by French artist Jacques-Louis David, 1787 (The Louvre, Paris)

Death of Socrates by Jacques-Philip- Joseph de Saint-Quentin, 1738

Oath of the Horatii by French artist Jacques-Louis David, 1784 (The Louvre, Paris) click

LATER ART (to be covered in next unit)

The Death of Marat, Jacques-Louis David 1793 Napoleon Crossing the Alps, Jacques-Louis David 1793

ROMANTIC ART

Romanticism valued the expression of emotion over the control of Classicism. This was achieved through spectacular painting technique and the choice of emotive and sensual subjects which often commemorated dramatic contemporary and historical events. In France, Delacroix and Géricault were the pioneers of Romanticism; in England, it was Turner and Constable; in Germany, Caspar David Friedrich and in Spain, Goya.

Liberty Leading the People, Eugene Delacroix 1830