BaroqueArt
Major Artists
Bernini
Rembrandt
Rubens
Caravaggio
StyleThemes
Encourage Faith
"Catholic Art”
sensual
Capture action and
emotion
Chiascuro: Contrast between light and
dark
BaroqueBaroque 1600 – 1750.
From a Portuguese word “barocca”, meaning “a pearl of irregular shape.”
Implies strangeness, irregularity, and extravagance.
The more dramatic, the better!
Marries advanced techniques and grand scale of the Renaissance w/ the emotion, intensity and drama of Mannerism
Baroque Style of Art & Architecture
Baroque Style of Art & Architecture Dramatic, emotional.
Colors were brighter than bright; darks were darker than dark.
Counter-Reformation art.
Paintings & sculptures in church contextsshould speak to the illiterate rather than to the well-informed.
Ecclesiastical art --> appeal to emotions.
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican
City
by Gianlorenzo Bernini
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican
City
by Gianlorenzo Bernini
1600 Catholic popes finance magnificent Catholic popes finance magnificent
cathedrals and grand workscathedrals and grand works Why?Why?
Counter-Reformation’s triumphCounter-Reformation’s triumphAttract new worshippers w/ “must-see” Attract new worshippers w/ “must-see”
architecturearchitecture
In France Absolute monarchs use it to glorify Absolute monarchs use it to glorify
themselvesthemselves Power and grandeur of the king is most Power and grandeur of the king is most
impressiveimpressive
Catholics vs. Protestants Flanders:Flanders:
CatholicCatholicReligious art flourishesReligious art flourishes
• RubensRubens
England and HollandEngland and Holland ProtestantProtestant
Religion images forbiddenReligion images forbiddenStill-lifes, portraits, landscapes, themes from daily lifeStill-lifes, portraits, landscapes, themes from daily life
• RembrandtRembrandt
Church of Santiago de Compostella, Spain
Church of Santiago de Compostella, Spain
Church of Veltenberg Altar, Germany
Church of Veltenberg Altar, Germany
Interior of a Dominican Church in Vilnius
Interior of a Dominican Church in Vilnius
“Calling of St. Matthew”Caravaggio
“Calling of St. Matthew”CaravaggioOrdinary people,
everyday events.
Faith open to all!
“The Cardsharps”Caravaggio, 1595“The Cardsharps”Caravaggio, 1595
“Christ on the Cross”
Diego Velázquez
, 1632
“Christ on the Cross”
Diego Velázquez
, 1632
“Las Meninas
”
Diego Velázqu
ez
1656
“Las Meninas
”
Diego Velázqu
ez
1656
Valazquez, Pope Innocent X
Francis Bacon,
1953
“The Elevation
of the Cross”
by Peter Paul
Reubens
1610-11
“The Elevation
of the Cross”
by Peter Paul
Reubens
1610-11
Descent from the Cross 1612
Ominously dark skyOminously dark sky Christ is central figureChrist is central figure Tragic themeTragic theme Spot-light on ChristSpot-light on Christ Emotional Emotional PowerfulPowerful
“The Ecstasy of
St. Theresa of
Avila”
by Gianlorenzo Bernini
1647-52
“The Ecstasy of
St. Theresa of
Avila”
by Gianlorenzo Bernini
1647-52
More on St.Theresa
St. Theresa: saw vision St. Theresa: saw vision and heard voicesand heard voices
Pieced by angel’s dart Pieced by angel’s dart filling her with divine lovefilling her with divine love
““The pain was so great that I screamed The pain was so great that I screamed aloud; but at the same time I felt such aloud; but at the same time I felt such infinite sweetness that I wished the pain infinite sweetness that I wished the pain to last forever.”to last forever.”
Your reaction?Your reaction?
Vermeer
Protestant or Catholic?
WHY?
Rembrandt The NightwatchThe Nightwatch 1642 1642
“A Bust of Louis XIV”by Bernini
“A Bust of Louis XIV”by Bernini
“A Bust of Cardinal Richelieu”by Bernini
“A Bust of Cardinal Richelieu”by Bernini
“Louis XIV”
HyacintheRigauld
“Louis XIV”
HyacintheRigauld
The greatest “David” (at least in Peri’s humble opinion)
Bernini, The Rape of ProserpineHow do you do this in marble?
Bust of Cardinal Scipione Borghese
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