Characteristics: •They rejected mannerism - they regarded the first hand examination of nature very important. •They wanted their paintings to look realistic(verisimilitude)•Their paintings were dramatic •The Baroque artist longs to create compositions that are dynamic, open and tend to expand outside the canvas boundaries. (strong diagonals) •They used high contrasts in Light & Dark (chiaroscuro) •These artists have an instinct for escape, which drives him or her to prefer forms that take flight (lots of action/movement), compared to scenes that are static and dense. •He or she loves to evoke any kind of emotion, through tension, suffering, life and/or death, to the extreme.

Caravaggio, The Sacrifice of Isaac, 1603, oil on canvas

Caravaggio, The Sacrifice of Isaac, 1603, oil on canvas

Caravaggio, Supper at Emmaus, 1660- 1601

Caravaggio, The Conversion of St. Paul, 1600 - 1601, oil on CAnvas

Rembrandt, The Blinding of Samson, 1936

Rembrandt, The Night Watch, 1642

A self portrait of Rembrandt & his wife - Saskia

Self Portrait 1640

Rembrandt, Self Portrait, 1658

Rembrandt, A Portrait of the Artist at his Easel, 1660