Power of Church and Monarchies restoredExcess ornamentation valuedRome became an artistic centerArt filled with emotion/dramaRealism instead of idealismChiaroscuro – play of light and dark and
shadows – helps set a dramatic mood
Baroque Period Basics
ItalianMoved to RomeFocused on painting portraits, still lives, historical
and religious topicsCondemned for being a “naturalist”
Personal lifeWorks were not modest/very violentWorks lacked theological correctness
Caravaggio
One of best known Baroque artistsDutch (native to the Netherlands)Developed revolutionary technique
Use of large amount of paintUse of fewer brushstrokesMade paintings almost seem unfinished
Painted many landscapes and made etchings about nature in the 1630sMany featured trees that had been blown over/very dark
cloudy skies
Rembrandt
1640 works became more solemn Featured family tragedies he had suffered Biblical themes from New Testament rather than Old Biblical themes featured groups
1650s his style changed again Richer colors Stronger brushstrokes moved him further from fine detail Biblical themes focused on portrait-like figures
Last years he focused on self portraits that showed his grief and sorrow that he had suffered (many consider these to be his finest paintings)
Rembrandt Cont.
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