19 Vision and Visions: Catholic Europe, first half of seventeenth century

Question 1

Labels describing art movements were often terms of abuse or derision –examples?

Answer 1

Gothic
Mannerism
Baroque
Impressionism

Question 2

Where does the word Baroque come from?

Answer 2

Derived from the Portuguese barroco, or “oddly shaped pearl,” the word was used to label architecture whose style lapsed from strict rules of classical architecture.

Question 3

Identify, date, describe

Answer 3

Church of il Gesù, Rome, 1575, Giacomo della Porta (1541-1602)

Considered first truly Baroque Church –built for newly founded order of Jesuits.

Renaissance idea of round, symmetrical church (like Pantheon) rejected as unsuitable for divine service.

Church in form of cross, topped by high cupola. Row of small chapels along nave, two large chapels at ends of arms of cross.

Jesuits wanted clear acoustics for sermons. So constructed with a single nave, and a dome at the nave, transept intersection.

Volute used to connect two storeys has no place in classical architecture.

New plan –soon to be accepted across Europe.

Question 4

Why was Baroque architecture condemned by its critics? 5 reasons

Answer 4

1 Excessive ornamentation –particularly use of scrolls and volutes.
2 Grandiose and theatrical appearance
3 Lack of harmony and proportion
4 Departure from classical ideals of simplicity and harmony
5 Association with the Catholic Church, which was a source of political and religious opposition.

Question 5

Annibale Carracci dates?

Answer 5

1560-1609

From family of painters, had studied art of Venice and Correggio.

Question 6

Michelangelo da Caravaggio dates?

Answer 6

1573-1610

Question 7

Identify, date, describe

Answer 7

Pietà, Carracci, 1599

Echoes simple harmony of early Renaissance.

On arrival in Rome Carracci fell under spell of the works of Raphael, aiming to recapture their simplicity and beauty, rather than contradict them like Mannerists.

However, Baroque features –play of light on body of saviour, elongated bodies, appeal to emotions.

Question 8

Identify, date, describe

Answer 8

The Incredulity of Saint Thomas, Caravaggio, 1602

Three apostles depicted as common labourers with weathered faces –devotion to ‘naturalism’.

Like Giotto and Dürer, Caravaggio wanted to make holy events seem like they could be happening in his neighbour’s house.

Use of light does not make bodies look graceful and soft –harsh and glaring.

Uncompromising honesty had decisive effect on later artists.

Question 9

What was the difference in approach between the camps of Carracci and Caravaggio in Rome?

Answer 9

Carracci –cultivation of idealised classical beauty, imitate the masters of high Renaissance, particularly Raphael.

Caravaggio –truth above all, realism is more important than convention. Ugliness is part of reality and so should be depicted.

Question 10

Identify, date, describe

Answer 10

Aurora, Guido Reni, 1614

Aurora and Apollo in chariot, round the Hours (Horae) dance, preceded by torch-bearing Morning Star.

Guido Reni was in school of Carraci, and particularly influenced by Raphael (similar to his frescoes - eg, Galatea –in the Farnesina).

Critics –too self-conscious in striving for beauty. Idealisation, beautifying of nature.

Question 11

Guido Reni dates?

Answer 11

1575-1642

Question 12

What is the neo-classical or academic programme?

Answer 12

To create an idealised, beautified form of nature, based on classical models.

Question 13

Poussin dates?

Answer 13

1600s
1594-1665

Question 14

Which city did Poussin make his home?

Answer 14

Rome

Question 15

Identify, date, describe

Answer 15

Et in arcadia ego, Poussin, 1639

Classical scene of shepherds (cf. wreaths and staffs) and beautiful woman gathering around tomb –inscription means that death is always present.

Poussin leading proponent of classical revival: studied classical statues as wanted to recreate bygone lands of innocence and dignity.

Famous for emotional restraint, conveying deep feelings and powerful themes through the calm and collected expressions of his figures.

Painting supposed to be both beautiful and intellectually stimulating–entirelysecular art.

Question 16

Claude Lorrain dates?

Answer 16

1600s
1600-1682

Question 17

Identify, date, describe

Answer 17

Landscape with sacrifice to Apollo, Claude Lorrain, 1662

Lorrain specialised in dreamlike visions of the past, bathed in golden light.

Focus on sublime beauty of nature, and travellers would judge real scenery according to his standards. English gardens were modelled on Lorrain’s dreams of beauty.

Question 18

Difference in style between Nicolas Poussin and Claude Lorrain?

Answer 18

Poussin known for his classical, intellectual and rational approach to art, characterized by his clean lines, clear composition, and use of classical mythology and history as subject matter.

Claude Lorrain known for his idyllic, romantic landscapes that depict Arcadian vistas, inspired by the Italian countryside. His paintings are characterized by their soft, atmospheric light, vivid colors, and dreamlike quality.

Poussin’s works are more structured and intellectually rigorous, while Lorrain’s are more imaginative and emotional.

Question 19

Peter Paul Rubens dates?

Answer 19

End 1500s, beginning of 1600s
1577-1640

Question 20

Rubens came to _____ when he was ____ years old

Answer 20

Rubens came to Rome when he was 23 years old

Question 21

What techniques did Rubens bring back from Rome to Flanders?

Answer 21

Predilection for huge canvases to decorate churches and palaces.

Art of arranging figures on a vast scale, and using light and colours to increase drama.

Question 22

Identify, date, describe

Answer 22

Virgin and child enthroned with saints, Rubens, 1627

Sacra conversazione, but with more movement, light, space and figures than ever before.

Impressive mastery of scope and scale of picture.

St Augustine, St Lawrence with grill, St Nicholas of Tolentino, St George and St Sebastian. Warrior with martyrs palm kneels before throne.

Also depicts legend of St Catherine’s betrothal, who dreamt of receiving ring from Christ.

St Peter and Paul stand by. St John in ecstatic admiration.

Question 23

Why is St Paul depicted with a sword?

Answer 23

Reminder of his martyrdom – he was beheaded in AD64

Question 24

The greatest secret of Ruben’s brushwork is to be able to make anything ______.

Answer 24

The greatest secret of Ruben’s brushwork is to be able to make anything alive.

Question 25

What’s the story of St Lawrence?

Answer 25

Christian Deacon martyred in Rome under Emperor Valerian in 258.

Ordered to turn over the Church’s treasures, instead gave to the poor, saying “These are the true treasures of the Church.”

Roasted on gridiron, saying at one point, “Turn me over, I’m done on this side.”

Patron saint of chefs and comedians.

Story likely a mistranslation –”assus est” instead of “passus est”.

Question 26

How did Rubens handle enormous quantity of orders?

Answer 26

Would prepare sketch, which pupils would complete, then he would finish off any brushwork needed.

Question 27

Identify, date, describe

Answer 27

Head of a child, Peter Paul Rubens, 1616

Probably artist’s daughter Clara Serena

Question 28

What was the Thirty Years War?

Answer 28

• Religious conflict in the Holy Roman Empire (1618-1648).
• Protestants rebelled against the Catholic Habsburg Emperor, Ferdinand II.
• Many European powers fought, causing millions of deaths and widespread destruction.
• The Peace of Westphalia (1648) ended the war, establishing laws of religious tolerance.
• Results were independence of the Dutch Republic from Spain, expansion of France into Alsace and Lorraine, and independence of Switzerland from HRE.

Question 29

Which camp was Rubens part of in Thirty Years War?

Answer 29

Catholic camp in Antwerp, centre of Catholic Flanders, under Spanish Allegiance.

Question 30

Identify, Date, Describe

Answer 30

Self-portrait, Rubens, 1639

Courtly portrait in style (such as showing the sword, glove and column),

Question 31

Identify, date, describe

Answer 31

Allegory on the blessings of peace, Rubens, 1630

Presented as a gift to Charles I during the Thirty Years War as a bid for peace.

Minerva, goddess of wisdom and civilising arts, drives back Mars. Peace offers her breast to a child. Companions of Bacchus –dancing maenads

Question 32

What is a maenad?

Answer 32

A female follower of the Greek god Dionysus, associated with frenzied behavior and wild, ecstatic rituals, often depicted as wild, beautiful women with long hair and flowing garments.

Question 33

What is a genius in Roman mythology?

Answer 33

A guardian spirit or personal deity associated with protection and creative inspiration, as well as to the guardian spirit of a particular place (genius loci).

Often depicted as winged, nude figure with a cornucopia, patera, or serpent; genius loci shown with a specific location, often holding a model or wearing a crown.

Question 34

Van Dyck dates?

Answer 34

1599-1641

Generation of Poussin and Claude Lorrain

Question 35

Identify, date, describe

Answer 35

Charles I of England, Anthony Van Dyck, 1635. Had become court painter in 1632.

Shows Stuart monarch as wished to live in history: elegant, unquestioned authority, who needed no trappings of power to convey dignity.

Black hat provides contrast and frame for face.

Charles I insecure about height, hence low angle.

Question 36

Identify, date, describe

Answer 36

Lord John and Lord Bernard Stuart, Van Dyck, 1638. Van Dyck had assistants who painted costumes of sitters arranged on dummies. Van Dyck often not even paint whole of head. At worse can look look wooden. Helped crystallize ideals of blue-blooded nobility and gentlemanly ease.

Question 37

Diego Velasquez dates?

Answer 37

1599-1660

Question 38

Identify, date, describe

Answer 38

The water-seller of Seville, Diego Velasquez, 1620. Genre picture like those Netherlanders invented to display skill, but with intensity and realism of Caravaggio –who was an influence.

Question 39

Greatest of Rubens’ assistants was?

Answer 39

Anthony Van Dyck

Question 40

What advice did Rubens give to Velasquez at the court of Philip II in Madrid?

Answer 40

To go to Rome to study the great masters.

Question 41

Identify, date, describe

Answer 41

Pope Innocent X, Velasquez, 1650. Succeeds in turning formal portraits into something fascinating. Rubens-like brushwork, and realistic expression of Caravaggio.

Question 42

Identify, date, describe

Answer 42

Prince Philip Prosper of Spain, Velasquez, 1659

First son of Philip IV of Spain and Mariana of Austria to survive infancy.

Prince 3 years old. Hope of nation resting on him - good luck charms hanging from his belt, including cornicello.

Little dog painted with a few brushstrokes - cf. arnolfini portrait dog with every hair defined. Admired by impressionists.

Question 43

How are maenads recognisable?

Answer 43

They can hold a thyrsus (a staff wrapped in ivy leaves and topped with a pinecone) or a tambourine.

Can wear panther skin or carry snake –both of which associated with Dionysus.