Symbolism: The Way to Get Your Point Across
“Baroque: Dominant style in western European art and architecture from late 16thC [entury] to mid- 18thC [entury]. Started in Rome, with the reassertion of Roman Catholicism in the Counter-Reformation. and then spread to northern Italy and other parts of Europe” as defined by a website containing nothing but art terms, is the time period that I chose to analyze how religion was used through paintings as ammunition for the Counter-Reformation. The Counter Reformation was a movement within the Catholic Church to reform itself in the midst of the Protestant Reformation.
I am in awe at how we can look at something for just a short period of time and, in most cases, we can understand what is going on, or something hits us telling us what is meant to be seen or interpreted in a certain scenario. This process is called “thin-slicing”, as Malcolm Gladwell coined a phrase in his book Blink. In a very dark and some-what eerie painting—with the only form of light in the middle—that depicts a battle that has just been fought, the first thing that comes to mind is the thought of war and death. This painting can be found in the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami in the Renaissance and Baroque section. It is un-named and was painted by Giovanni Andrea Donducci, who was commonly known as Mastelleta, somewhere between 1611 and 1612. The historical time periods that do incorporate these two concepts prior to 1611 are endless. The fact that there is, what seems to be, a knight in the middle of the painting pointing to a city that is illuminated wearing plate and armor, it is deduced that this could be the Crusades. Upon further research, I have come to the conclusion that this image is most likely depicting the Crusades; due to the illuminated city, and the red flags, uniforms, and ornate pole arms, since the main colors were red and white. The Crusades were a series of wars in the name of God and Christendom, fought between Christians and Muslims, to claim the Kingdom of Heaven, also known as Jerusalem. The main symbol that is drawn out of these wars is God and Christ. The city that is illuminated in this painting could be Jerusalem and the people on mountain pointing towards the city could be the Christians fighting to reach the city and try to conquer it.
Gentileschi’s Judith Slaying Holofernes epitomizes the style of artwork during the Italian Baroque era. By using a Catholic subject and key elements and techniques essential to baroque art such as chiaroscuro and foreshortening, she was able to create a piece that gushes drama and realism. Without the use of all of these elements the effect would be lost, but instead the piece is one that moves the viewer with its direct and gritty realism of the religious subject, evoking emotion in a way that leaves the viewer in awe.
Daum, Gary. "Chapter 12 The Baroque Era (1600-1750)." Georgetown Prep. 1994. Georgetown University. 12 July 2005 .
The baroque has been called a theatrical style, one that deals in spectacle, grandeur, and dramatic contrast. Test these concepts in an essay that discusses the baroque as an expression of the Catholic Reformation, Protestant devotionalism, the Scientific Revolution, and the Age of Absolutism. Define your general statements with specific examples. The following essay will discuss the baroque period and how the Catholic Reformation, Protestant devotionalism, and the Scientific Revolution influenced it. The Baroque period generally refers to the years 1600 to1750. Classicism of the Renaissance has been replenished during the Baroque period. During the Baroque artistic period, the exploration of the fundamental components of human nature and the realm of senses and emotions were very crucial. The Baroque era was a very dynamic time that showed an abundance of radiance and color. Artists of this time were passionate and sensual. Their works were many times considered to have an overpowering emotional effect. The superficial form of light was fascinated during this period due to the thoughts of godlike sun or the truth of the Holy Spirit. The Baroque naturalism maintains the religious themes in content. The elements of perception in the Baroque art are how we perceived the natural human figures are in motion through space, time, and light. We present and analyze the extent of human actions and passions in all its degrees of lightness, darkness, and intensity. The scientific revolution also had a tremendous impact on art during this time. Scientists started to study the earth and it’s positioning in the universe. This was a time when the people started take more of an interest in astronomy and mathematical equations. During the time of the Catholic Reformation artists began to challenge all the rules that society has set for artistic design. Artist starting with Parmigianino, Tintoretto, and El Greco began to add a wide variety of colors into their paintings, challenging the way things have been done in the past. These artists also added abnormal figures or altered the proportions in paintings. This is displayed in Parmigianino’s painting, Madonna of the long neck. During this time the Catholic Church was in a transition period moving from their recent reputation and becoming a well-respected organization. During this reform, an autobiography written by Layola about Saint Teresa of Avila set a new tone for Catholics to follow. This influenced people to have a more spiritual outlook on life.
I chose “The Martyrdom of St. Matthew” as the painting that best illustrates the baroque period. The reasons surrounding my decision are clear in Caravaggio’s painting. Here Caravaggio uses the entire canvas to illustrate complexity, flow, and chiaroscuro. The painting depicts the source of lighting to be coming from the left side of the plane. The brightest light focuses directly on Matthew’s executioner who intends to strike Matthew with an old balcanic hand weapon. Caravaggio masterfully illustrates the use of lighting by casting believable shadows. As an example, the shadow of the handle on balcanic hand weapon reflects on the executioner’s left thigh and knee. Another shadow appears on the executioner’s right inner thigh. The lighting source to the left of the executioner, the executioner, St. Matthews, the boy, the 2 observer’s bottom, right, and the fainter lighting upper left of the canvas illustrates the technique of visual movement. The lighting is placed strategically, causing visual movement within the piece. For example, the illumination of the executioner’s forearm directs my attention to the angel who appears to be handing St. Matthew a palm leaf. As a result, my eyes then focuses on the body of St. Matthew, lying on the bottom of the altar, then my eyes shifts up toward the Angle’s arm. The lighting on the angel's arm contrasted with the darkness of the palm leaf forces the viewer to look at the hand to see what St. Matthew is reaching for. The boy fleeing the scene further draws in the viewer. The two adult observers at the bottom right of the painting are illuminated but not as bright as the two main characters. Next, my attention is drawn to the man lying on the bottom steps, left side of the canv...
During the 15th century, Europe started to have different cultural traditions that impacted the type artwork of artwork that was produced. There are several elements that have evolved during this time. Two artworks will be compared so that we will be able to evaluate how various techniques that are used can be used to portray the meaning of the painting as well as how the audience views the scene as well. One of the paintings that we will compare is a Annunciation panel (from the Merode Triptych), which was painted by Robert Campin in 1426. This painting will be compared to Holy Trinity, which was created by Masaccio in 1425. By comparing these two paintings, we will get a sense of what themes and ideals were valued during this time period.
The painting is of a young St. John the Baptist preaching to his congregation. St. John is an important figure in Catholicism not only for his preaching and baptisms in the River Jordan, but for his role as the last prophet and the forerunner of Jesus Christ. His preaching foretells the coming of Christ as the Messiah, and thereupon Christ’s baptism, the voice from Heaven told St. John that Jesus was God’s son. This piece by Calabrese captures John at the height of his oration. Fixed atop a decrepit tree trunk yet grappling for stability, John is shown here in his ascetic attire composed of camel hair, holding his staff and scroll bearing the words “Ecce Agnus Dei,” which translates into Beho...
As the seventeenth century began the Catholic Church was having a hard time bringing back the people who were swept away by the protestant reformation. The conflict between the protestant had a big influence on art. (Baroque Art) The church decided to appeal to the human emotion and feeling. They did so by introducing a style called Baroque. Baroque was first developed in Rome and it was dedicated to furthering the aims of Counter Reformation. Baroque was first used in Italy than later spread to the north. In this paper I will argue that the Italian Baroque pieces were more detailed and captured the personality of the figure, in contrast and comparison to Northern Baroque pieces that aimed to produce a sense of excitement and to move viewers in an emotional sense leaving them in awe. I will prove this by talking about the different artwork and pieces of Italian Baroque art versus Northern Baroque Art.
The time line of Baroque art is multipart, since its numerous alternatives makes classification challenging. It is a particularly trial to try to deal with accurate dates for that start in addition to finish in the Baroque period of time. However getting to point, Baroque art may for that reason become understood to be a manifestation in the beliefs associated with ideals of established order (Toman. 2004: 9). In later 17th centuries European Union, a pair of distinctive instructions happen to be established- one was from the cathedral and also the royal courts along with that was linked with an even more community, frequently middle-class in addition to Protestant. The very first accommodated the requirements in addition to unknown reasons
It reflected the Counter Reformation by the Catholic church against the Protestants. Much of Baroque art were stylized from Mannerism and what was going on at the time. “To counter the inroads made by the Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church after the Council of Trent adopted a propagandistic stance in which art was to serve as a means of extending and stimulating the public’s faith in the church. To this end the church adopted a conscious artistic program whose art products would make an overtly emotional and sensory appeal to the faithful” (Britannica). This led to a new interest in nature and the need for learning, encouraging the developments of science and exploring the world, where art was becoming more engaging and
This movement developed in Italy and Spread throughout all Europe. At first Baroque art was promoted by the Catholic Church to improve its image, as part of a series of actions against the Protestant Reformation then it was adopted by the courts from different kingdoms for exhibiting their power and wealth. During the first years of the 17th century, clothing still preserved several elements from the Renaissance. The new style didn't immediately change clothing, and Baroque fashion started around 1620. "Elements characteristic of baroque styles include extensive ornamentation, curved forms, and freely flowing lines, all in relatively large scale" Baroque fashions were grand and dramatic.
The word “Baroque”, or “Barocco” was first used as a stylistic term to describe a period that flourished at 16th century and 17th century from Italy, originate after the movement of Gothic and Renaissance era. To describe the Baroque style, it is a collection of arts, developed under the Authority of the Catholic Church. Baroque architecture focus on realism and dramatic illusory as demanded by the Catholic Church to serve religious objective. In regard to the timeline movement, the renaissance emphasis balance and Harmony, while Baroque turns to explore on sophistication and drama. It is the combination of painting, sculptures and architecture.
It was a time filled with reformations, scientific advancements, and cultural advancements. Velázquez’s composition showcased the expression of movement highly praised by the Baroque art period. High Baroque consisted of dynamic compositions that evoked emotions from the audience (Triadó 64). The appearance of the Counter-Reformation led the Roman Catholic Church to utilize artistic propaganda that conjured emotions and appealed in a sensual way. In order to stimulate these feelings from the viewers, Baroque artists made use of compositions that made figures of their paintings looks as if they were moving. Artists also incorporated mythology into many of their artworks as “Well known stories or figures from history and mythology had a wider appeal” (Triadó 63). Many Baroque paintings incorporated elements of mythology to indirectly correlate with the belief of the Catholic Church to express that a greater power above humans
people would be able to paint a picture of those they admire, as a way
The Baroque era was the age of magic. Flat surfaces became three-dimensional and paint on plaster became alive. It was the age of masterful illusion. Nothing exhibits this mastery better than Baroque ceiling paintings.
The most influential theme in art for centuries was that of religion. There have been many things that have influenced art over the generations. Nothing has had the impact on the art world that religions has. Many of the ancient art works were dedicated to the gods or other religious figures. The statues of the Ancient Egyptians were not just for beauty. Instead, they were representations of the gods and were meant to have significant meaning to the people who saw them. The people of the time knew the meaning of every reed, flower, bird, or animal that was depicted in the art. The same is true of the Greeks and Romans. Most of the art was inspired by the gods and the mythology of the region. Art as a way of imparting a message dominates the art world. For most of history, art had a meaning that was often connected to the religion of the region. This is fitting since art has a sense of permanence that most other mediums do not possess.