About the Time
Monarchies became important in Europe and the monarch (King or Queen) had complete power. But even the monarchs had to respect the Church. Kings were only in power because God wanted them to be in power, so the Church was an important part of the King's power. The Christian Church was splitting into Protestantism and other sects. The "New World" (the Americas) were being colonized, so minerals like silver were being taken from South America and North America was producing tobacco and cotton. Because of this colonization, global trade was a big business.
Scientific thought was also expanding. Galileo was studying physics, Copernicus and Kepler were studying astronomy and Newton was theorizing about gravity.
The Art
Baroque art is the height of religious art. There is a lot movement and drama created by color contrasts as well as emotion. Baroque art is meant to have an emotional impact on the viewer. The Church hoped that these huge, dramatic paintings would convert people to follow them. Architecture also evolves from the gothic thin walls, flying buttresses and lots of detail, to rounded curves and ovals. More drama was always better in Baroque art.
The Materials
Oil and canvas are used for paintings and marble is used for building.
Mannerism
El Greco Catholic artist famous for larger than life scenes with lots of people, angels and demons
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Reubens (Ru-bens)
http://www.canvasreplicas.com/Rubens.htm
He is famous for his Reubenesque women who are full figured. In Reuben's time, being heavier was a sign of wealth so it was attractive to be bigger. He was from northern Europe where nudity was more acceptable in art. Patrons from Italy and Spain did not buy his art because the nudity was offensive. He also painted scenes from Greek mythology instead of Christian scenes, which put him at odds with the Church.
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Rembrandt
He is a Dutch painter (from the Nehterlands) Dark outsides, reds and golds, thick paint. He used a style called "chiaroscuro" which means light and dark. This means he would use bright lights and dark shadows to highlight the important parts of the painting.
self portraits
This is one of Ms. Allekotte's favorites. Artists who try to show the human body have always studied anatomy in order to mke the body look more realistic. This is a painting of an anatomical study of a cadaver (dead body). Did you know Ms. Allekotte taught Anatomy last year?
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Caravaggio big red fabric, patches of light. He made religious scenes look real by painting the characters in contemporary clothing. This made the stories from the Bible seem more real and more dramatic to the people who saw his paintings.
Death of a Virgin
Converstion of Saint Paul
Saint Jerome (Geronimo)
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Bernini- Italian sculpture, and architect. He made religious works for churches as well as fountains. He was the official sculptor for the Catholic Church for many years and created many huge, dramatic pieces for the Church in Rome. Even though his pieces were made of solid stone, he tried to give them a lot of movement and lightness. He painted, wrote plays, and staged sets.
colonnade at St. Peter’s Basilica 1658
“Ecstacy of Saint Teresa” church sculptures
Daphne and Apollo
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Palace of Versailles (vare-sigh)
very big in scale (size). Versailles was built to showcase the best of art and craftmanship that France could create. Lots of formal gardens (symmetrical, well groomed).
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Borromini- wide arches, curved lines
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Continue to the next lesson, Neoclassical art. There will be a review test after the next lesson.
