THE BAROQUE

• THE Baroque Period• 1600-1750 (150 years)• Origin: Counter-Reformation Italy

• Baroque: • term used in 1750 by Johann Joachim Wincklemann• barocco (Portuguese)• barrueco (Spanish) – pearl or tooth of unequal size,

oddly-shaped pearl

• Baroque: derogatory term• Used to describe the allegedly excessive art of the

preceding era• Implies : “imbalance and ugliness”• Also, “elaborate” or “highly detailed”

Wall bracket, unknown maker, 1695-1710

• It gained respect in 19th century through the writings of German art historians.

• Art that is distinct and vital from that of the hallowed Renaissance

Heinrich Wólfflin

Renaissance und BarockBaroque – as a stylistic categoryand a serious area of study

Factors on the spread of Baroque:1) post-Counter Reformation Italy: that the arts should communicate religious themes in direct

and emotional involvement (clerical abuses, especially nepotism, simony, usury, pluralism and the sale of indulgences)

2) the aristocracy: its dramatic style is a means to impress visitors and express triumph, power and control

Council of Trent1545-63

Essentially, Baroque is…• Catholic Art• also art for monarchy• that started in: Italy• and spread to: Spain,

Spanish Netherlands, southern Germany

Grinling GibbonsThe Stoning of St StephenWoodcarvingGrinling GibbonsAbout 1680-1710Carved limewood and lancewood relief, with later paint

Baroque extends to:• Painting• Sculpture• Music• Architecture• Fashion • Literature• Dance Johann Pachelbel

Baroque composer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_XiDPXM24I

Masters of Baroque:

• Caravaggio (precursor, painting, Italian)• Peter Paul Rubens (painting, French)• Rembrandt (painting, Dutch)• Gian Lorenzo Bernini (architecture, Italian)• Diego Velasquez (painting, Spanish)• Johann Sebastian Bach (music, German)• George Handel (music, German)• Antonio Vivaldi (music, Italian)• Pietro da Cortona (architecture, Italian)• Francesco Borromini (architecture, Italian)

George Handel

Music is lively, tunefuland expresses order

Features of Baroque Art: (painting)• Exaggerated lighting• Intense emotions• Highly detailed• Release from restraint• Drama• Exuberance• Grandeur• Artistic sensationalism• Technique: chiaroscuro• Iconography: direct, obvious, dramatic

CaravaggioThe Calling of Saint MatthewOil on canvas1599-1600

CaravaggioThe Entombment of Christ1602-1603

CaravaggioConversion on the WayTo DamascusOil on canvas1600-1601

Peter Paul RubensMassacre of the Innocentsoil on panel1611-12

Peter Paul RubensThe Disembarkation at MarseillesOil on canvas1622-25

Marie de MediciWife of France’s Henry XIVSeries of 24 paintings

Peter Paul RubensVenus at a MirrorPainting1613-1614

RembrandtThe Polish RiderOil on canvas1655

RembrandtThe Storm on the Sea of GalileeOil on canvas1633

Diego VelasquezLas MeninasOil on canvas1565

Diego VelasquezOld Woman Frying Eggs1618

Gian Lorenzo BerniniEcstacy of Saint ThereseMarble1645-52

Baroque Architecture:• Emphasis on bold spaces• Domes• Bold massing• Collonades• Light-and-shade (chiaroscuro)• Curved wall • Sculpted surfaces• Concentration of rich elements

Gian Lorenzo BerniniSt. Peter’s BaldachinoBronze canopy over the tomb of St. Peter

Francesco BorrominiSan Carlo alle QuattroFontaneRome1638-1646

Gian Lorenzo BerniniSaint Peter’s Square

Jules Hardouin MansartVersailles Palace

Nicola SalviTrevi FountainCarara marble1732

Decorative arts• Use of foliage motifs• Marquetry• Putti (‘boys’, chubby infants) • Crests and initials• Lambrequin motif Melville bed

KeyBickford familyAbout 1700Steel, pierced, chiselled and engraved

Marquetry: laying of veneers of different-coloured woods onto the surface of furniture. This novel form of decoration was learned from French and Dutch cabinet-makers.

John ByfieldAbout 1700Marquetry of walnut, burr walnut, sycamore, other woods and ivory, with some staining, on a pine and oak carcase, with brass fittings

Key Terms• Baroque• Counter-Reformation• chiaroscuro• collonades• marquetry• putty• lambrequin