History: Baroque

Question 1

Caravaggio “The Conversion of St. Paul”

By Caravaggio

Answer 1

• Harsh spotlight on armies and veins bourses legs, inessential detains disappear into the dark background
• use of perspective brings viewer into action and chiaroscuro engages the emotions while intensifying the scenes impact through dramatic light and dark contrasts
• theatre casting harsh light from a single source on the subjects in the foreground
• Many of Caravaggio’s patrons who commissioned altarpieces refused his renditions considering them vulgar
• choice of lower class people as subjects expressed counter reformation belief that fair was open to all

Question 2

French Baroque; The Palace of Versailles

Answer 2

• Pinnacle of Baroque opulence
• Tribute to the ambition if one man, King Louis XIV
• Absolute monarch known as the sun King
• Hundreds of rooms filled with chandeliers, marble, silver furniture velvet hangings embroidered in goal
• Le Brun and Hardouin Mansart
• Hall of mirrors, Versailles 1680
• 240 foot long gallery line with massive silver furniture
17 floor to ceiling mirrors and windows reflecting the sun