Baroque Art of Europe (1600-1750) Study Notes

Baroque Art of Europe (1600-1750) Study Guide

This study guide covers key concepts, artworks, and figures associated with the Baroque period of art in Europe from 1600 to 1750.

1. Tenebrism

  • Definition: A painting technique characterized by violent contrasts of light and dark, often referred to as "shadowy manner."

  • Notable Artist: Caravaggio, known for his dramatically lit and theatrical compositions.

2. Emotional Involvement in Italian Baroque Art

  • Characteristics:

    • Intense Emotional Response: The art evokes strong feelings in viewers.

    • Diagonal Movement: Creates dynamic compositions through the use of diagonal lines.

    • Portrayal of Split-Second Time: Captures moments as if freezing time.

    • Participatory Art: Engages the viewer, making them feel as if they are present in the scene.

3. Artworks by Caravaggio

A. David with the Head of Goliath (Caravaggio, 1610)

  • Medium: Oil on canvas.

  • Description:

    • Goliath's mouth is open, suggesting he is caught in a scream.

    • Blood trickles from Goliath's severed head.

    • David expresses a mournful emotion, illuminated against a dark background.

    • Caravaggio includes a self-portrait, an acknowledgment of his own life of murder and sin.

B. Judith Slaying Holofernes (Gentileschi, 1620)

  • Medium: Oil on canvas.

  • Description:

    • Judith, a devoutly religious woman, is depicted beheading Holofernes, an Assyrian general.

    • The painting employs Caravaggio's tenebrism style.

    • The composition captures gripping emotions, showcasing Judith's calm determination.

C. Christ on the Cross (Zurbarán, 1627)

  • Medium: Oil on canvas.

  • Significance:

    • Spain emerges as a significant center for religious artwork.

    • The use of tenebrism focuses the viewer on Christ's crucifixion.

    • Warm colors highlight Christ's muscular body while contrasting with the lifeless flesh of his face, hands, and feet.

4. Anamorphic Art

  • Definition: A distorted image requiring a specific angle or a mirror to be viewed correctly.

5. Caravaggio's Influence

  • Life: Died in 1610, likely the most influential painter of the century in Europe.

  • Actions: Killed a man in 1606, leading to a life on the run until his death at age 38 from illness.

6. The Calling of St. Matthew (Caravaggio, 1599-1600)

  • Medium: Oil on canvas.

  • Description:

    • Christ is depicted as the furthest figure to the right.

    • Employs tenebrism characterized by pronounced chiaroscuro.

    • Creates visual ambiguity within a religious scene juxtaposed with a secular setting.

7. Juan de Pareja (Velázquez, 1650)

  • Medium: Oil on canvas.

  • Description:

    • Depicts common individuals, contrasting with the rarity of such portrayals of enslaved people, represented through a dark color scheme.

    • Captures a sense of authenticity, aligning with Baroque naturalism.

8. Las Meninas (Velázquez, 1656)

  • Medium: Oil on canvas.

  • Characteristics:

    • Ambiguous imagery that freezes a moment in time.

    • Self-portrait incorporating the royal household in a secular context, adding layers of meaning.

    • Depicts the Princess Margarita at the center, further exploring themes of identity and representation.

9. Baroque Provenance

  • Key Features:

    • Tenebrism (dramatically lit compositions).

    • Intense emotional involvement.

    • Diagonal movement.

    • Portrayal of split-second time.

    • Participatory art that invites the viewer to witness events.

10. Estipite Column

  • Description: A column style favored within the ultra-Baroque period, characterized by elaborate and extravagant design.

11. Absolutism in Art

  • Concept:

    • Associated with King Louis XIV, encapsulated by the phrase "L'état, c'est moi" (2I am the state2).

    • Louis XIV, known as the "Sun King," believed in his divine right to rule, illustrating the embodiment of the state through his person.

12. The Garden of Versailles

  • Design: Communicates political power through Baroque design elements:

    • Formal geometric layout of trees and plants.

    • Diagonal lines radiating outward from a central axis.

    • Spaces designed for performances and spectacles to engage viewers in celebrating royal power.

13. The Felicity of Regency of Marie de' Medici (Ruben, 1625)

  • Medium: Oil on canvas.

  • Characteristics:

    • Rich in iconography; artworks were embedded with various symbols and motifs.

    • Intended to represent Marie de' Medici with abstract themes such as justice and benevolence.

    • Served as a politically persuasive image, contrasting her real-life political difficulties with the portrayed glory.

14. Ultra-Baroque

  • Definition: A style representative of extravagant Baroque architecture in Spain and its Latin American colonies, marked by its elaborate designs.