BAROQUE, ROCOCO, NEOCLASS

BAROQUE

• Origin:

  • Term "Baroco" derives from Portuguese, meaning imperfect pearl.

  • Flourished in Europe during the 17th and early 18th centuries, mainly originating in Italy.

• Characteristics:

  • Emphasis on emotion and dynamism.

  • Intentional lack of clarity in themes.

  • Highly ornate and elaborate style encompassing architecture, art, and design.

  • First visual style to have a significant worldwide impact.

Characteristics of Baroque Architecture

• Large domes or cupolas:

  • Typically centered in buildings, often with windows to highlight architectural features.

• Elaborate motifs and decorations:

  • Intricate details emphasizing extravagance and sacredness.

  • Motifs include human, animal, and floral forms, often combined with scrolls and garlands.

• Gilded sculptures:

  • Use of contrasting colors and textures typically made from plaster or marble.

• Attention-grabbing features:

  • Curved walls, frescoes, sculptures, arches, niches, and fountains are notable.

  • Highly detailed vaulted ceilings often painted to resemble the sky.

• Double-sloped mansard roof:

  • Key element of French Baroque architecture contributing to the overall design aesthetic.

• Contrast between light and dark:

  • Elements designed to create dramatic effects via chiaroscuro in paintings.

ITALIAN BAROQUE

• Pioneering Region:

  • Italy’s blend of Renaissance painting and Mannerism's emotional drama defined the Baroque style.

  • Key Artists: Caravaggio, Gentileschi, Bernini.

• Caravaggio's Influence:

  • Revolutionized illuminated lighting, focusing on stark contrasts in his religious scenes.

  • Tenebrism: Utilizes a dark overall tonality to enhance drama in works.

Architectural Landmarks

• St. Peter's Basilica by Bernini:

  • Façade crafted by Carlo Maderna, with a famous baldachin and surrounding piazza.

• Fountain of Trevi:

  • Considered the largest and most exquisite Baroque structure in Rome, symbolizes artistic heritage.

FRENCH BAROQUE

• Developed during the reign of Louis XIV (late 17th century).

• Unique for its secular focus on palatial architecture and showcase of power.

• Characterized by:

  • Symmetrical layouts, classical orders, and opulent decoration.

  • Sober exteriors contrasted by highly ornamented interiors featuring sculptures, tapestries, and moldings.

Key Landmarks

• Palace of Versailles:

  • Embodies the grandeur and architectural themes of the French Baroque.

• Louvre Palace:

  • Expanded in the 17th century, integrating French Baroque elements.

• Val-de-Grâce:

  • An important Parisian Baroque church featuring distinctive architectural styles.

ENGLISH BAROQUE

• Originated in the late 15th century, exemplified by:

  • St. Paul's Cathedral:

    • Famous for its dome, designed by Sir Christopher Wren.

  • Castle Howard:

    • A fusion of classical and Renaissance elements representing English Baroque.

Architectural Highlights

• Blenheim Palace:

  • Regarded as a pinnacle of English Baroque architecture.

• St. Paul’s Cathedral:

  • Combines grand design and religious significance.

ROCOCO

• Emerged in France during the 1720s as a response to Baroque.

  • Characterized by lightness, elegance, and an exuberant use of natural forms.

  • Often seen as rebellious—compared to the seriousness of Baroque.

Key Characteristics

• Ornamental Style:

  • Use of pastel colors, serpentine forms, and gold embellishments.

  • Designed with asymmetrical layouts focusing on natural motifs like flowers, shells, and vines.

Notable Artists

• Jean-Antoine Watteau:

  • Father of Rococo, known for fête galante style and themes of courtly love.

• Juste-Aurèle Meissonier:

  • Influential in decorative arts with imaginative asymmetrical designs.

ROMANTICISM

• Characterized by an emphasis on emotion, individualism, and inspiration drawn from nature.

• Common themes include nostalgia, imagination, and an affinity for medieval styles.

Prominent Figures

• Caspar David Friedrich:

  • Known for landscapes that express emotional responses and a connection with nature.

• Francisco Goya:

  • Spanish painter addressing historical upheavals through evocative imagery.

NEOCLASSICISM

• Emerged as a revival of classical antiquity in the late 18th century, opposing Rococo's excesses.

• Characterized by symmetry, proportion, and restrained emotional expression.

Key Influencers

• Jacques-Louis David:

  • Noted for allegorical works representing Neoclassical ideals.

• Antonio Canova:

  • Master sculptor whose works reflect idealized beauty and harmony.

Notable Structures

• Palace of Westminster:

  • Example of Romantic architecture with asymmetrical designs and towers.

• Neuschwanstein Castle:

  • Romanticized medieval castle showcasing integrated technological comforts.

Key Takeaways

• All these art movements reflect significant cultural shifts and values, showcasing how emotion, aesthetics, and ideals evolved from the Baroque through Romanticism to Neoclassicism.