Art: Boroque Flashcards
Period
1600–1750, emerging in Italy and spreading across Europe.
Political/Religious Context
The Baroque period coincided with the Counter-Reformation, where the Catholic Church sought to reassert its authority against Protestantism. The Church sponsored dramatic, emotional art to inspire faith and devotion.
Renaissance Legacy
Building upon Renaissance ideals of perspective and humanism but with more emphasis on movement, emotion, and drama.
Scientific Revolution
New discoveries in physics and anatomy influenced a more realistic and dynamic approach to the human form.
Style and Characteristics
Dramatic emotion, movement, realism and detail, theatricality, and contrasts
Caravaggio
Known for dramatic lighting and realism in works like The Calling of Saint Matthew and Judith Beheading Holofernes.
Peter Paul Rubens
Created large, emotionally charged works such as The Elevation of the Cross and The Descent from the Cross.
Rembrandt van Rijn
Famous for portraits and self-portraits that captured psychological depth, such as The Night Watch.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Renowned sculptor and architect, responsible for The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa and the design of St. Peter’s Square.
Johann Sebastian Bach (Music)
Baroque music’s emotional depth and complexity reflected in compositions like The Brandenburg Concertos and Toccata and Fugue in D minor.
Effects on Society:
Catholic Influence
The Catholic Church used Baroque art to communicate religious messages and inspire devotion, making art more accessible and emotionally engaging to the public.
Effects on Society: Political Power
Baroque architecture and art were often used by monarchs and the elite to display wealth, power, and grandeur.
Effects on society: Cultural development
The Baroque movement influenced not only visual arts but also music, literature, and theater, enriching European culture with its expressive intensity.
