Baroque

The 17th/18th Centuries: Baroque and Rococo Art Historical Context

• Expansion of European Power: European nations, notably Spain, Portugal, and England, expand their influence by creating colonies in the New World and Asia, benefiting from increased wealth through trade.

• Catholic Counter-Reformation: A movement aimed at reasserting the Catholic faith and guiding people back to its teachings during a time of religious challenges.

• Scientific Discoveries: Significant advances in understanding the universe, notably recognizing the sun as the center of the solar system, leading to a new worldview.

Characteristics of Baroque Art

• Emotional Impact: Baroque art evokes dramatic emotional responses in viewers.

• Elaborate Ornamentation: Features intricate detail and decoration, contributing to a lavish appearance.

• Sensual Richness and Grandeur: Emphasizes exuberance, movement, and tension, creating a dynamic and immersive experience.

• Origin of the term 'Baroque': Derives from the Portuguese word "barocco," meaning an irregular pearl, reflecting the style's complexity and richness.

Part 1: The Baroque in Italy and Spain

Caravaggio

• The Calling of St. Matthew (1599-1600): Oil on canvas measuring 11'1" x 11'5".

  • Utilizes everyday individuals as models, depicting Matthew as a tax collector in an ordinary setting.

  • Technique: Employs Tenebrism - the stark contrast of light and shadow to enhance narrative elements and create movement.

• Bacchus (1595): Oil on canvas 37 x 33".

  • Represents Bacchus, the Greek god of wine, symbolizing indulgence and celebration, reminiscent of the Baroque spirit.

  • Features homoerotic undertones in Caravaggio's representation of youthful male forms.

• Judith Beheading Holofernes (1598-1599): Oil on canvas, 57" x 77".

• The Entombment of Christ: Characters are closely grouped, aligned in a diagonal composition, showcasing dramatic action and dark lighting typical of Baroque painting.

Gianlorenzo Bernini

• St. Peter's, Rome: Colonnade designed in 1657, characterized by its embrace of visitors as they approach the church.

  • The colonnade symbolizes the "arms" of the church welcoming its faithful audience.

• David (1623): Life-size marble sculpture emphasizing movement and tension in the moment of throwing the stone at Goliath.

• The Ecstasy of St. Teresa (1645-1652): Situated in the Cornaro Chapel, portrays a spiritual event with marble figures of the Cornaro family observing.

  • Reflects Baroque theatricality in service of faith, illustrating St. Teresa's intense emotional experience as described vividly in her writings.

Diego Velázquez

• Juan de Pareja (1650): Oil on canvas measuring 32 x 27 ½"; illustrates Velázquez’s naturalism, influenced by Caravaggio.

  • Portraits his Moorish assistant in Italy during a commission to paint the Pope.

• Las Meninas (1656): Oil on canvas, 10'5" x 9'.

  • A complex composition featuring Princess Margarita and her entourage with reflection of her parents in a mirror.

  • Reflects a significant narrative emphasis and the artist's role within the royal family.

• The Spinners (c. 1657): Oil on canvas, 87.5 x 115.3 in; may represent themes of myth involving Arachne, the mortal who boasted against the goddess Minerva.

Francisco Zurbarán

• St. Serapion (1628): Oil on canvas, approx 48 x 41".

  • Depicts the martyred saint with a heroic scale and dramatic light and dark contrast, reflecting Caravaggio's influence.

• Agnus Dei (1635-40): Oil on canvas, approx 15 x 24" with realistic textural qualities, evoking compassion for the lamb.

Part 2: The Baroque in the Netherlands

Historical Context

• Political Changes: The Northern Netherlands gains independence from Spanish rule in 1581, leading to economic and cultural flourishing, particularly in the Dutch Republic with merchant patronage.

• Artistic Patronage: Wealth from the Dutch East India Company fuels artistic production, while in Flanders, the Catholic Church remains a major patron.

Peter Paul Rubens

• The Raising of the Cross (1610-11): Oil paint; demonstrates Rubens's Italian influences and Baroque virtuosity.

• Marie de Medici, Landing in Marseille (1622-25): Large canvas blending history and myth celebrating the arrival of the Queen, depicting dynamic movement and rich color.

Dutch Artists

• Frans Hals: Known for lively portraits blending spontaneity and immediacy, exemplified in pieces like The Jolly Toper (1628-30).

• Judith Leyster: A rare woman artist gaining recognition within the guild with her self-portrait, influenced by Hals.

• Rembrandt van Rijn:

  • The Night Watch (1642): Commissioned by a militia, showcasing Baroque's dramatic lighting and group composition.

  • Self Portraits: Exploring varied expressions and textures, showcasing oil paint's capabilities throughout his career.

Jacob van Ruisdael

• Bleaching Grounds Near Haarlem (c. 1670): Landscape showcasing the Dutch countryside's flatness and sky, representing local industry.

Jan Steen and Vermeer

• Jan Steen: Known for genre scenes blending morality and daily life, exemplifying chaos in The Dissolute Household (1668).

• Jan Vermeer: Noted for domestic scenes with soft light, exemplified in works like Woman Holding a Balance and Girl Reading a Letter.

Part 3: The Baroque in France and England

Historical Context

• Civil Unrest: 17th-century conflicts lead to political struggles in England and France with absolute monarchies influencing artistic styles.

• Baroque Classicism: The artistic style that features Roman and Greek classical forms, particularly in architecture.

Nicolas Poussin

• Landscape with St. John on Patmos (1640): Reflects Poussin's idealized landscapes, creating a somber, classical atmosphere.

Palace of Versailles

• Construction: Commissioned by King Louis XIV to centralize his power and artistic patronage, influencing the art capital of Europe.

  • Architectural Features: Designed by renowned architects featuring classical design elements.

Part 4: The Rococo (c. 1700-1789)

Historical Context

• Rococo Origins: Derived from “rocaille,” representing a refinement beyond the Baroque style with an emphasis on frivolity and ornamentation during Louis XV’s reign.

Rococo Painting

• Watteau's A Pilgrimage to Cythera (1717): Evokes a delicate, idealized fantasy world filled with aristocratic themes.

• Fragonard's The Swing (1767): Represents eroticism and playful themes, filled with metaphor and suggestion.

• Chardin's Back from the Market (1739): Reflecting everyday life with soft brushstrokes, relating to themes of simplicity and beauty.

Interior Design

• Nicolas Pineau's Varengeville Room (c. 1735): Exhibits Rococo’s emphasis on integrated art forms and rich ornamentation.

William Hogarth**

• The Revels (The Orgy): Morality scenes using humor to convey lessons on societal pitfalls, popular through prints in England.