Download The Baroque Period

The
Baroque Period
By Megan Lynch
Baroque Overview
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Flourished between
1600-1750
Brought an increased
naturalism to Western
art
Brought a new level
of emotionalism to
Western art
Driven by the wealth
of the middle class
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Baroque is associated
with the following
features:
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Ornateness
Spatial Grandeur
Theatrical
Flamboyance
Baroque Painting
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Originated in Italy
Artists worked to
make the viewer feel
as if they were
participating in the
scene by increasing
the expressiveness,
especially in religious
art
Nature was copied
instead of idealized
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Artists included:
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Caravaggio
Gentileschi
Features included:
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Asymmetric
compositions
Strong contrasts of
light and dark
Vigorous brushstrokes
Bold, illusionistic
effects
Caravaggio (1571-1610)
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Leading Italian painter of the 17th century
Recreated Christian narratives like they were happening
in recognizable places
Used:
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Strong light and dark contrasts
Theatrical gestures
Foreshadowing
Naturalism
Pinwheel arrangement of people
Work included:
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The Supper at Emmaus
The Crucifixion of Saint Peter
Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1653)
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Italian female painter following Caravaggio
Challenged female tradition by swaying away from
typical female subjects like portraits and still lives
Subjects were usually biblical heroines in violent scenery
Used:
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Realistic figures
Contrast in light and dark
Compositions brought viewer up close
Pinwheel arrangement of figures
Foreshadowing
Intensity
Work included:
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Judith Slaying Holofernes
Baroque Sculpture
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Conveyed dramatic movement and a
physical energy by manipulating space
and light
The favorite ornamental structure was the
fountains, which included dolphins,
mermaids, and tritons
Sculptors included:
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Bernini
Gianlorenzo Bernini (1598-1680)
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One of the top sculptors of the 17th century
Under his construction, Rome became the “City of
Fountains”
Flamboyant style
Used:
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Naturalism
Dramatic movement
Intensity
Theatrical effect
Sculptures included:
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David
The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa
Baroque Architecture
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Characterized by:
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Dynamic spatial contrast
Inventive illusions
Italian baroque churches were
designed in such a way to
reflect ideals of Catholic
Reformation
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Baroque church features:
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Broad Latin nave
Domed crossings
Recessed chapels
Architects included:
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Bernini
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Example: I1 Gesu in Rome
designed by Giacomo da
Vignola
Became sacred drama houses
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Completed the Piazza (public
area in front of Saint Peter’s
Basilica)
Shaped in a keyhole
Courtyard bounded by a
colonnade
Devotional church activities
still practiced here
Borromini
Pozzo
Francesco Borromini (1599-1667)
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Most daring baroque architect
Designed:
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San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (small monastic
church)
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Deeply cut decorative elements
Oval floor plan and dome
Apex is an illusion to look as if it were deeper than it
actually is
Andrea Pozzo (1642-1709)
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Linear perspective master
Dramatic foreshadowing master
Designed:
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Church of Sant'Ignazio in Rome
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Illusion ceiling appeared as if it were opening up to
the heavens
Religion during the Baroque Period
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A synthesis of the arts promoted the
religious beliefs of Catholics and
Protestants
Religious fervor reached a climax during
this period, as the Protestant-Catholic
conflict in Europe erupted in the 30 years
war
Baroque Music
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Rome and Venice is were
baroque music flourished
Giovanni di Palestrina (15251594) created polyphonic
Masses and motets which
featured skillful counterpoints,
clear texts, and regular
rhythms
Giovanni Gabrieli (1555-1612)
created polychoral
compositions which gave way
to orchestra style
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Opera was the most extreme
expression of baroque music
Claudio Monteverdi (15671643)
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Created opera by integrating
drama, music, visual arts and
music
Wrote madrigals, ballets and
operas
Greatest Italian composer of
the 17th century
Composed Orfeo, the first full
length opera
The first opera house was built
in Venice in 1637
Similarities: Baroque Music & Art
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A wide range of musical dynamics
comparable to the stark contrasts of light
and dark
Echo effects created from offstage voices
comparable to the illusionism of Baroque
art
Tonality provided dramatic focus in music
comparable to light providing dramatic
focus on a composition
Science During the Baroque Period
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Discoveries in the sciences allowed humankind
to better understand the natural universe
Foundations developed for:
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Analytical Geometry
Probability
Integral calculus
Some great scientists included:
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Galileo
Kepler
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Engaged in the study of astronomy
Developed the laws of planetary motion
Galileo
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Discovered a number of natural laws
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Gravity
Uniform accelerated motion
Oscillation
Invented the microscope
Constructed a telescope
Observed the planets
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The
Baroque Period
By Megan Lynch