17th Century European Art Images

Question 1

**Likely a comparison of Donatello’s and Michelangelo’s David’s
Title: David
Location: Rome
Time Period: 1623
Medium: Marble
Artist: Gianlorenzo Bernini

Answer 1

1. Bernini claimed to be Michelangelo’s successor
2. The statue imposes a scene within the sculpture so the viewer must walk around it to fully experience the image
   - A new type of three-dimensional composition that forcefully intrudes into the viewers space
   - The viewer becomes part of the action
3. Representing a move towards theatricality (i.e. the Baroque period)

Question 2

Title: View into the Dome of the Church of San Carlo Alle Quattro Fontane
Location: Rome
Time Period: 1638-1667
Artist: Francesco Borromini

Answer 2

1. Combining Gothic geometry with a renaissance style
   - He created a “broken” or misshapen style
2. As though the church refuses to stand still, it is an example of excess

Question 3

What is the Baroque period indicative of?

Answer 3

It is indicative of the broken order/Renaissance principles
- Barocco = Irregularly shaped pearl

Question 4

Title: The Calling of St. Matthew
Location: Rome
Time Period: 1599-1600
Medium: Oil on canvas
Artist: Caravaggio

Answer 4

1. Caravaggio introduced a Baroque style that was excessive in its minimalism
2. The subject of the painting is conversion
   - A popular theme during the Reformation
3. No clear indicator of who Mathew is
4. Open receiving strict rules for the commission, Caravaggio did his own thing
5. References Ghent Altarpiece through the intense raking light in the painting which aligns with how light would enter the physical church
6. Caravaggio is known for combining intensely observed figures, poses, and expressions with strongly contrasting effects of light and colour
   - Developed a technique known as tenebrism (forms emerging from a dark background into a strong light that often falls from a single source outside the painting)
   - Creation of a theatrical, “spotlight” effect

Question 5

Title: Judith Beheading Holofernes
Location: Florence
Time Period: c. 1619-1620
Medium: Oil on canvas
Artist: Artemisia Gentileschi

Answer 5

1. Depicting a biblical story from the book of Judith where she stops the invasion from the Syrian army and saves Jerusalem
2. Not at spotlighting brings focus to the scene
   - The moment of violence is being pushed out forcefully onto the viewer
3. Other painters often learned about Caravaggio through Gentileschi

Question 6

Title: Las Meninas
Location: Madrid
Time Period: 1656
Medium: Oil on canvas
Artist: Diego Velázquez

Answer 6

1. Challenges the viewer to enter the painting and interact with it
   - The figures are placed at the forefront, inviting entrance
   - The figure in the background invites the viewer further into the painting
2. Connection to van Eyck
   - The mirror in the background depicting the King and Queen
   - Playing with visuality and space
3. Velázquez includes himself in the painting, an example of an artist elevating his status
   - Showing that he is intimately associated with Spanish royalty through his depiction as a court painter

Question 7

Title: Girl with a Pearl Earring
Location: Mauritshuis
Time Period: c. 1665
Medium: Oil on canvas
Artist: Johannes Vermeer

Answer 7

1. An example of a “tronie” (A caricature, depicting an exaggerated facial expression
2. The myth of the pearl
   - In association with telling the story of the Baroque in the misshapen beauty of the Pearl
3. Enigmatic regarding his technique and the meaning of the painting