Boroque

What is Baroque Style?

• The style originated in Europe in the early 17^th century

• Once referred to as “Catholic Art” as this style came about during the chaotic years of the Reformation

• The term baroque translates from Portuguese as “odd-shaped, imperfect pearl”

Characteristics of Baroque Art

• Very detailed

• Artwork was often overblown or exaggerated

• Baroque artists rejected medieval art in favor of classical influences from the Renaissance

• Some artists in this period undertook more classical influences than religious ones

• Although known as “Catholic Art,” some of the best examples of baroque art and music came from Protestants

Peter Paul Rubens’ The Fall of Man

• Rubens was a Flemish (Netherlands) Baroque Painter

• In The Fall of Man, he is depicting the forbidden fruit scene in the Bible with Adam, Eve, and a half-child, half-serpent creature

Jean Baptiste Lully

• Official court composer of Louis XIV at Versailles

• Music is best known for its deep emotional power

• Music is very lively and fast

• His most popular works are dance movements like the opera Armide

Antonio Vivaldi

• Italian Baroque composer and Priest

• Known as the “Red Priest”

• Best known for his instrumentation

• He was also an expert violinist

  • The Four Seasons

Johan Sebastian Bach

• German Baroque composer

• Regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time

• Known as a great organist

• Example of well known work: the six Brandenburg Concertos 

George Frideric Handel

• German-British Baroque Composer

• Best known for his opera, Messiah

  • Performed during Christmas and Easter

• An example of a British piece is his famous Water Music, which he composed for King George I of England