BAROQUEBAROQUE

Art in the CourtsArt in the Courts

Art for the Courts to fit the KingsArt for the Courts to fit the Kings In the 17th century monarchy had the In the 17th century monarchy had the

power to ruled Europe. Nobles lived in power to ruled Europe. Nobles lived in large castles which they decorated with large castles which they decorated with art work.art work.

Their themes ranged from Their themes ranged from royal portrait royal portrait to mythological paintings, religious to mythological paintings, religious themes and later landscapes.themes and later landscapes.

CharacteristicsCharacteristics If the Renaissance mastered anatomy, If the Renaissance mastered anatomy,

perspective and chiaroscuro…perspective and chiaroscuro… Baroque addedBaroque added drama and emotion. Painters used tenebrism (extreme

contrast between light and dark) Sculptors used movement While Renaissance art is cold and

intellectual, Baroque appeals to human emotions an feelings.

Apollo and Daphne by Bernini

Executed between 1622 and 1625. It captures the climax of the story of Apollo and Daphne. The god Apollo fated by Cupid’s arrow sees the beautiful

Nymph and chases her through the woods. While Daphne is running away from him, realizes she

has no escape she cries Peneus (god or the river), her father for help.

The moment he catches up with her and touches her, through the power of her father she turns into a tree.

Bernini captures the precise moment when she turns into a tree with a great deal movement.

Apollo and Daphneby Bernini

The Rape of Proserpina by The Rape of Proserpina by BerniniBernini

The god of the underworld, Pluto, kidnapped Proserpina and dragged her down to the underworld. 

In desperation Proserpina’s mother, Gea or mother earth, struck a deal with Jupiter that allowed Proserpina to remain in the underworld for half a year and then return to the surface for the other half. 

This is the ancient Roman origin for the spring and winter cycles.  Once again we see the baroque element of drama and emotion at

the climax of the story: the moment when Pluto grabs Proserpina and she tries to get away from him.

In the corner we see Cerebus the three headed hound of Hades.  Proserpina’s fingers are pressing into Pluto’s face and Pluto’s fingers digging deep into Proserpina’s side.

Peter Paul RubensPeter Paul Rubens He was a Flemish painter and diplomat He was a Flemish painter and diplomat Rubens was sent on missions to create Rubens was sent on missions to create

peace between countriespeace between countries He created allegoric paintings He created allegoric paintings These hold hidden messages meant to be These hold hidden messages meant to be

discovered by visual clues discovered by visual clues Rubens uses dark and light to create a Rubens uses dark and light to create a

dramatic effect.dramatic effect. Rubens gave this painting to the king of Rubens gave this painting to the king of

England to England to illustrate the benefits of peaceillustrate the benefits of peace

Peace and War, by RubensPeace and War, by Rubens

Peace and WarPeace and War The painting is an allegory each character represents and

abstract idea. The center figure is Pax (peace) everything around her is

peaceful and content. Mars, the god or war is in the dark. Each character represents and abstract idea. The center figure is Pax (peace); this is why everything

around her is peaceful and content. Even the wild creatures have been tamed. The leopard rolls on its back like a kitten. Beside it, there is a

satyr, a mythical creature with the body of a man and the legs of a goat.

Satyrs were meant to be mischievous, but this one is offering the children fruit from the cornucopia (horn of plenty).

Behind him there is a woman carrying a basin of gold. The fruit and gold represent the prosperity bought by peace

bring. So the children can grow up well-provided for and happy.

Satyrs were meant to be mischievous, but this one is offering the children fruit from the cornucopia (horn of plenty).

Behind him there is a woman carrying a basin of gold.

Mars, the god of war, is standing nearby, ready for battle threatens peace. A woman clad in armor – Minerva, the goddess of wisdom- pushes Mars away.

The Supper at Emmaus, The Supper at Emmaus, by Caravaggioby Caravaggio

The painting depicts a Bible story about The painting depicts a Bible story about two of Jesus disciples. two of Jesus disciples.

After Jesus had been crucified, they After Jesus had been crucified, they walked to the town of Emmaus. walked to the town of Emmaus.

On the way, they met a stranger and On the way, they met a stranger and invited him to eat with them at an inn. invited him to eat with them at an inn.

After the inn-keeper had brought the meal, After the inn-keeper had brought the meal, the stranger blessed it in an oddly familiar the stranger blessed it in an oddly familiar way- and the way- and the disciple realized he was disciple realized he was JesusJesus, miraculously returned from the , miraculously returned from the dead. dead.

The Supper at EmmausThe Supper at Emmaus (16061) by Caravaggio (16061) by Caravaggio

The Supper at Emmaus, The Supper at Emmaus, by Caravaggioby Caravaggio

The scene looks realistic. The scene looks realistic. The disciples are dressed in ragged The disciples are dressed in ragged

17th century clothes. 17th century clothes. The food on the table is what The food on the table is what

ordinary people would eat. ordinary people would eat.

Baroque CompositionBaroque Composition Jesus sits in the middle of the picture, Jesus sits in the middle of the picture,

his his robe is redrobe is red and his and his face is on lightface is on light to to make sure he is the center of attention.make sure he is the center of attention.

The painting The painting shows movementshows movement when when the shocked disciples the shocked disciples recognized their recognized their guestguest. .

To accomplish the baroque drama, To accomplish the baroque drama, Caravaggio creates a scene so Caravaggio creates a scene so close upclose up, , it almost feels we are at the table with it almost feels we are at the table with them.them.

Francisco de ZurbaranFrancisco de Zurbaran

Zurbaran was born Fuente de Cantos, Spain (1598-1664), he is especially noted for religious subjects. His work is characterized by Caravaggesque naturalism and tenebrism, the latter a style in which most forms are depicted in shadow but a few are dramatically lighted.

The Martyrdom of Saint Serapio

by Zurbaran Serapio was born in Ireland in the 1179, he was Irish martyr of the Catholic church who served the armies of Richard the Lion-Heart.

Later he became Mercedirian and was a hostage at Algiers in exchange for some Christian captive. When the ransom money did not arrive, he was tortured, dismembered and killed.

In the painting Zurbaran uses a strong chiaroscuro know as Tenebrism.

There is a contras between the tranquil white of the robe and the tension created by the deep shade and angles of the folds. Scottish painter Alison Watt wrote, " Zurbarán has elevated the humble fabric of the robes of Saint Serapio to a divine level with pure, magnificent white.”

The Blinding of Samson by Rembrandt

It was produced in 1636. It depicts a Biblical scene, with Samson, having been

tricked by Delilah, attract by the Philistines, who forced him to the ground and gouge out his eyes.

Rembrandt’s masterful command of light and dark (Chiaroscuro/ Tenebrism) emphasizes the suffering of Samson and dramatized the brutality of the scene.

Delilah, with a look of terror mixed with triumph, is a masterful characterization seen in a half haze, as she rushes to the opening of the tent.

The Night Watch by Rembrandt

The painting is renowned for three characteristics: its colossal size, the effective use of light and shadow (chiaroscuro/tenebrism), and the perception of motion in what would have traditionally been a static military portrait.

The painting was completed in 1642. It depicts the militia group, led by Captain Frans Banning Cocq and his lieutenant.

With effective use of sunlight and shade, “tenebrism” give the dramatic effect.

Rembrandt leads the eye to the three most important characters among the crowd, the two gentlemen in the center, and the small girl.

He displays the traditional emblem of the Arquebusiers in the painting in a natural way.

The Toilet of VenusThe Toilet of Venus1647 by Velazquez1647 by Velazquez

The Toilet of VenusThe Toilet of Venus1647 by Velazquez1647 by Velazquez

Nudity was not allowed in the 17th Nudity was not allowed in the 17th century. century.

The only context it was partially The only context it was partially permitted was when illustrating permitted was when illustrating mythology like in this casemythology like in this case

Venus is the goddess of love Venus is the goddess of love She is in theShe is in the toilette toilette (French), Cupid (French), Cupid

hold the mirror for her, but he looks at hold the mirror for her, but he looks at the viewer through the mirrorthe viewer through the mirror