Introductory Visual Arts: Art History Timeline - Baroque Caravaggio Bernini Rubens Rembrandt Vermeer Velázquez Artemisia Gentileschi Poussin Baroque Architecture St Peters Square Versailles

What It Is

The Baroque art movement emerged in the 17th century, characterized by dramatic lighting, intense emotions, and highly ornamented decoration. Caravaggio's "The Calling of St. Matthew" (1599-1600) exemplifies the movement's use of chiaroscuro, a strong contrast between light and dark. Understanding Baroque art is crucial for analyzing the emotional and psychological depth of artworks.

Key Terms & Techniques

• Chiaroscuro: A technique using strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth. Example: Caravaggio's "The Calling of St. Matthew".
• Tenebrism: A style of painting characterized by a dark, dramatic atmosphere. Example: Caravaggio's "The Taking of Christ" (1602).
• Sfumato: A technique creating a soft, hazy effect by layering thin glazes of paint. Example: Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" (1503-1506).
• Baroque Architecture: A style of building characterized by grand scale, sweeping curves, and ornate decoration. Example: St. Peter's Square in Rome (1656-1667).
• Fresco: A painting technique applying pigments to wet plaster while it's still fresh. Example: Michelangelo's "Sistine Chapel Ceiling" (1508-1512).
• Oil Painting: A medium using pigments suspended in oil to create a rich, luminous effect. Example: Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" (1642).
• Etching: A printmaking technique using acid to etch a design onto a metal plate. Example: Rembrandt's "Self-Portrait with Two Circles" (1660).
• Rubens' Style: A style characterized by lush, sensual, and emotionally charged compositions. Example: Peter Paul Rubens' "The Descent from the Cross" (1612-1614).
• Bernini's Sculpture: A style characterized by dynamic movement and emotional intensity. Example: Gian Lorenzo Bernini's "Ecstasy of Saint Teresa" (1647-1652).
• Dutch Golden Age: A period of Dutch art characterized by realistic and detailed depictions of everyday life. Example: Johannes Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (1665).
• Velázquez's Realism: A style characterized by precise and detailed representations of reality. Example: Diego Velázquez's "Las Meninas" (1656).
• Artemisia Gentileschi's Feminism: A style characterized by powerful and independent female figures. Example: Artemisia Gentileschi's "Judith Beheading Holofernes" (1620).
• Poussin's Classicism: A style characterized by calm, rational, and harmonious compositions. Example: Nicolas Poussin's "Et in Arcadia Ego" (1637-1639).
• Versailles: A palace built during the Baroque period, characterized by grand scale and ornate decoration. Example: The Hall of Mirrors (1678-1684).
• Stucco: A decorative technique using plaster to create intricate designs and ornaments. Example: Bernini's "Fountain of the Four Rivers" (1648-1651).

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: The Baroque period began in the 16th century. Correction: The Baroque period began in the early 17th century, around 1600.
• Misunderstanding: Caravaggio was the only artist of the Baroque period. Correction: Many artists, including Bernini, Rubens, and Rembrandt, contributed to the Baroque movement.
• Misunderstanding: The Baroque period was only about grand and ornate decoration. Correction: The Baroque period was also characterized by intense emotions, dramatic lighting, and realistic depictions of everyday life.

Quick Identification

1. Describe an artwork with a strong contrast between light and dark. Identify the concept. Answer: Chiaroscuro. Reason: The artwork uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth.
2. Describe a style of painting characterized by a dark, dramatic atmosphere. Identify the concept. Answer: Tenebrism. Reason: The style uses a dark, dramatic atmosphere to create a sense of tension and emotion.
3. Describe a style of building characterized by grand scale, sweeping curves, and ornate decoration. Identify the concept. Answer: Baroque Architecture. Reason: The style uses grand scale, sweeping curves, and ornate decoration to create a sense of drama and grandeur.

Last?Minute Revision

• Caravaggio was a pioneer of the Baroque movement.
• The Dutch Golden Age was a period of Dutch art characterized by realistic and detailed depictions of everyday life.
• Bernini's sculpture style was characterized by dynamic movement and emotional intensity.
• Velázquez's realism was characterized by precise and detailed representations of reality.
• Artemisia Gentileschi's feminism was characterized by powerful and independent female figures.
• Poussin's classicism was characterized by calm, rational, and harmonious compositions.
• Versailles was a palace built during the Baroque period, characterized by grand scale and ornate decoration.
• Stucco was a decorative technique using plaster to create intricate designs and ornaments.
• The Baroque period began in the early 17th century, around 1600.
• The Baroque period was characterized by intense emotions, dramatic lighting, and realistic depictions of everyday life.
• Caravaggio's "The Calling of St. Matthew" is an example of Chiaroscuro.
• Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" is an example of Oil Painting.
• Bernini's "Ecstasy of Saint Teresa" is an example of Bernini's Sculpture.
• Velázquez's "Las Meninas" is an example of Velázquez's Realism.
• Artemisia Gentileschi's "Judith Beheading Holofernes" is an example of Artemisia Gentileschi's Feminism.