Northern Baroque Flashcards
Peter Paul Rubens, Elevation of the Cross, 1610
Protestant art or counter-reformation art? Antwerp: Tug of war over religious ideas; At the time this painting was made, Rubens just returns from Italy Learns about the Italian baroque of classical antiquity Triptych that has one scene over 3 panels; Central Panel: Christ being raised up to the cross by men-muscular figures like Michelangelo’s figures; Iconoclasm; Still has detail of Northern tradition, but adds southern style as well
• Michelangelo bodies
• Caravaggio tenebrism; drama/active composition
• Everything is in motion
Frans Hals, The Women Regents of the Old Men’s Home at Haarlem, 1664
emotion on subjects; Brushstroke: sketchy, creates illusion; Highlights essential elements, leaves out details. Not like northern European contemporaries; ”alla prima” works to capture that exact moment
Judith Leyster, Self-Portrait, 1630
What makes this Dutch baroque?
Baroque sense of closeness
Merchant class was buying art
Needed to be in a guild to establish yourself as an artist, Judith was in Guild of Saint Luke
Holland: Protestantism, not being commissioned by the church
Contemporary of Frans Hals, has similar style
Loose brushstroke, illusion
Vermeer, Woman Holding a Balance, 1664
Quiet; Scene of everyday life, but with greater meaning; Woman dressed in fine clothing, she is part of the upper merchant class; Cap made of linen: typical for women when at home; Fur trimmed jacket; Window is letting in light; Right hand: balance Boxes for balance and pearls, signifies wealth; Painting in background: painting of Christ—last judgment
Rembrandt, Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp, 1632
Guild of surgeons -once a year there would be a public dissection. Much more public event in real life
Rembrandt reinvents the group portrait
This painting launches his career
Netherlands was largely protestant, catholic church is not a major patron
Science has replaced the spiritual
Art is needed for middle and merchant class. This portrait shows off the medical profession
Renewed interest in human anatomy—book at bottom of painting
Contemporary portraiture meant to be a form of documentation
Animation and drama adds life to the work
Baroque
- Proximity of bodies
- Audience is a part of the painting
- Interest in reality and the mundane
Rembrandt, The Night Watch, 1642
Rembrandt’s most famous work and most famous painting in the Netherlands
Group portrait tradition, portrait of militia
• Only the men in the foreground are highlighted
