2. Introduction
• Discuss the correlation between motion theories
in science at this time and Baroque art.
• Discuss the post-Renaissance styles that do not
have much in common.
• The Baroque period was irregular in its stylistic
tendencies, but it gave us many treasured
artworks.
3. The Age of Baroque
• This period roughly spans from 1600 – 1750.
• This is an age of genius in many fields of
endeavor.
• The Baroque period in Europe includes a
number of post-Renaissance styles that do
not have that much in common.
4. Baroque Art
• Baroque - word is believed to derive from the
Portuguese word barroco, meaning “irregularly
shaped pearl.”
• There was a continuation of Classicism and
naturalism of the Renaissance.
• At the same time, a more colorful, ornate, painterly,
and dynamic style was developing.
• Motion and space were concerns for artists and
architects.
• Additional concerns were with the concept of time,
the dramatic use of light, and theatricality.
5. Artistic Styles
Baroque Art
• In Italy
• Outside of Italy
• Spain
• Flanders
• Holland
• England
• France
• Rococo Art
6. The Baroque Period in Italy
• Started in Rome
– Perhaps as a reaction to the Protestant
Reformation?
– Also, in reaction to Mannerism
• The Baroque period is also referred to as
the Age of Expansion, especially in the arts.
• Patron Popes of the Baroque included:
– Paul V
– Urban VIII
– Innocent X
7. The Artists
• Gianlorenzo Bernini
• Caravaggio
• Artemisia Gentileschi
• Francesco Borromini
• Diego Velazquez
• Peter Paul Rubens
• Rembrandt van Rijn
• Jan Vermeer
• Nicolas Poussin
8. Architecture
St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome and its
expansion and renovation is a good example
of Baroque architecture.
1. Expresses Renaissance ideals
2. Stands as a Hallmark of the Baroque style
3. Brings together the works of the finest
Renaissance and Baroque artists.
• Carlo Maderno was the architect
• Gianlorenzo Bernini was the sculptor.
9.
10. St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. Pope John Paul II lying in state at the foot of Bernini’s bronze canopy (left) in the
transept of St. Peter’s Basilica, April 6, 2005. Bernini’s St. Longinus can be seen in niche at right.
11. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger leading Mass in the transept of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Mass held April 18, 2005, before cardinals sequestered themselves for their conclave.
In the background is Francesco Mochi’s sculpture Saint Veronica (1629).
12. Gianlorenzo Bernini
• Made numerous sculptures for St.Peter’s.
• He also designed the piazza!
His sculpture David embodies three of five
characteristics of Baroque sculpture:
– Motion
– A different way of looking at space
– The concept of time
– Drama
13. GIANLORENZO BERNINI. The Ecstasy of St. Theresa (1645–1652). Marble. Height of group: approx. 11’6”.
14. Caravaggio
• The theatrical Baroque sculpture had its
counterpart in painting.
• Caravaggio (Michelangelo de Merisi)
• Portrayed dramatic movement, tenebrism,
emotionally charged subjects, and figures
caught in time.
• Tenebrism - exaggerated chiaroscuro.
Translated as “dark matter” it is often
characterized by a small and concentrated
light source in the painting or what appears to
be an external ”spotlight” directed as a very
specific point in the composition.
16. Artemisia Gentileshi
• 1593 - c.1652
• Her father was a successful painter in Rome.
• Work was emotional and depicted stories and
subjects in a different light.
• Was raped during her apprenticeship and
many historians believe her personal
struggles dealing with the trial of her accuser
led to an obsession with her work Judith
Decapitating Holofernes.
• How do you think this might have affected her
artwork?
17. Judith and Holofernes
by Caravaggio & Artemisia Gentileschi
• Both Baroque paintings are roughly
contemporary.
• One was created by an Italian male artist and
one by an Italian female artist. How do you
think gender influenced their artistic styles?
• What are the subtle messages offered to us
by Gentileschi?
22. Ceiling Decoration
• Baroque art wanted to combine architecture,
sculpture, and painting.
• Artist managed to do so on the ceilings of naves
and domes of churches and cathedrals.
• They created an illusion of depth using trompe
l’oeil effects.
• They used illusionist devices to create a total,
mystical atmosphere.
• Compare Baroque ceiling decoration to the
Sistine Chapel ceiling
24. Francesco Borromini
• Successfully incorporated the Baroque
elements of motion, space, and lighting
into his architecture.
• His work moved from the static to the
organic.
• Plasticity - the ability of any material,
object, or design to change or
transform.
25. The Baroque Period outside Italy
• Italian Baroque ideas were used by artists
throughout Europe.
• Northern artists were interested in realism.
• Dutch artists painted everyday scenes and
perfected the genre painting.
• Spain and Flanders adopted the Venetian
use of color and created energetic motion
with brushwork.
• France and England adopted Baroque’s
Classicism.
26. Spain
• Spain was one of the wealthiest
countries in Europe at this time, due to
the influx of riches from the New World.
• The court was lavish in its support of
foreign artists, but especially its native
talent.
The artists:
• Diego Velásquez
• Francisco de Zurbarán
27. Diego Velázquez
• 1599-1660
• Court painter for King Phillip IV.
Used:
– Baroque techniques and Venetian colors.
– Stark contrast in lights and darks
– Deep illusionist space
– Common folk as models
– Harsh realism by using real faces and natural
attitudes in his main characters.
– Small rough textured brushstrokes that would be
the foundation of the impressionist movement.
28. DIEGO VELÁZQUEZ. Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor) (1656). Oil on canvas. 10’5” x 9’ 3⁄4”.
29. Flanders
• After Martin Luther’s Reformation the region
of Flanders was divided.
– The Northern half became the Dutch Republic,
present day Holland.
– The southern half became Flanders, Belgium.
• The Dutch Republic became Protestant and
Flanders became Catholic.
• The Dutch painted genre scenes and
Flanders artists painted religious and
mythological scenes.
30. Sir Peter Paul Rubens
• Most sought after artist of his time.
• Ambassador, diplomat, and court painter.
Used:
– Sculptural qualities in figures
– Dramatic chiaroscuro
– Color and texture like the Venetians
– Theatrical presentation like the Italian Baroque
– Dynamic energy and unleashed passion of the
Baroque
31. PETER PAUL RUBENS. The Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus (1617). Oil on canvas. 7’3” x 6’10”.
32. Holland
• Artists of the Low Countries turned to secular
artistic themes.
• They followed the Protestant mandate that
humans not create “false idols” in any form of
art.
• The middle class became collectors of art.
• Landscape, still-life, and genre paintings were
desirable.
The artists:
• Rembrandt van Rijn
• Jan Vermeer
33. Rembrandt van Rijn
• 1602 – 1669
• Painted many self portraits that give insight
into his life and personality.
• Known for large group portraits.
• Often focused on the psychology of a certain
situation rather than its surface
characteristics.
• Master of manipulating light.
• Rich colors and strokes of heavy impasto.
• Died out to fashion and penniless at age 63.
35. REMBRANDT VAN RIJN. Syndics of the Drapers’ Guild (1661–1662). Oil on canvas. 72 7⁄8” x 107 1⁄8”.
36. Jan Vermeer
• Typifies the Dutch interest in painting
scenes from daily life.
Ties to the Baroque style:
1. The single light source
2. The genre subject
3. The bit of mystery surrounding the
moment
37. JAN VERMEER. Young Woman with a Water Jug (c. 1665). Oil on canvas. 18” x 16”.
38. France
• France’s “sun king,” Louis XIV, preferred
Classicism, and he created academies and
teachers to perpetuate this Baroque style
• The French Baroque is a more reserved
style, toward Raphael
The artists:
• Nicholas Poussin - main exponent of
Classical style in France.
Used:
– More static staged motion
– And, sculptural Raphaelesque figures.
39. NICOLAS POUSSIN. The Rape of the Sabine Women (c. 1636–1637). Oil on canvas. 60 7⁄8” x 82 5⁄8”.
40. Architecture
• The French king’s taste for the classical
extended to architecture.
• The Palace of Versailles is one of the
grandest monuments in the French
Baroque.
– Divides into Classically balanced threes.
The architects:
– Louis le Vaux
– Jules Hardouin-Mansart
41. LOUIS LE VAU and JULES HARDOUIN-MANSART. Palace of Versailles, as seen from the garden (1669–1685).
42. England
• England’s most significant contribution
to the arts in the 17th and 18th century
was in the realism of architecture.
The architects:
– Inigo Jones
– Sir Christopher Wren
• Wren’s masterpiece is the new St. Paul’s
Cathedral in London.
43.
44. The Rococo
• Rococo is a unique style within the Baroque period
and strays further away from Classicism.
• It is a more ornate style that shows sweetness,
gaiety, and light, painterly and pastel features.
• It is chiefly characterized by the representation of
leisurely, frivolous, activities of upper class society.
The artists (painting):
– Jean-Honoré Fragonard
– Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun
47. Enlightenment, Revolution, the
Scientific, and the Natural
The Philosophers
• Voltaire (1694-1778)
– Held that science and rationalism are key to the
improvement of the human condition.
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau
– Believed that feeling and emotions trumped reason and that
the return to the natural, or the “primitive state” would lead
to the salvation of humankind.
– Lead to the demise of the Rocco
The Artists:
• Thomas Gainsborough
• John Singleton Copley
48. Discussion Questions:
• Why do you think we see such genius in
the arts and sciences at this time?
• Why is Baroque art different in Italy than
in Northern Europe?
• Why would modern art develop after the
Baroque period?
• Why would revolutions be the outcome
of the Rococo era?
