Baroque Art: Characteristics of 17th-18th Century Masterpieces

Baroque Art: 17th-18th Centuries

The Baroque period was defined by the significant influence of the Church in Rome and a primary artistic goal of capturing the viewer's attention with dramatic and emotional works.

Baroque Architecture

Key architectural features included:

• The use of curves, twisted solomonic columns, and broken pediments.
• Introduction of multiple light sources to create dramatic effects from different viewpoints.
• Employment of the giant order and monumental dimensions.
• Urban planning that created grand roads and squares leading to principal buildings.
• Prolific creation of elaborate fountains.

Baroque Sculpture

Sculpture in the Baroque era emphasized:

• Movement: Conveyed through flowing drapery and dynamic poses.
• Drama: Achieved through the intense interplay of light and shadow.
• Material: Frequent use of highly polished marble to enhance light effects.
• Emotion: Faces expressed naturalistic and intense feelings, backed by a profound knowledge of anatomy.
• Subjects: Common themes included religious scenes, mythological figures, and portraits.

Baroque Painting

Baroque painting gave rise to two major artistic movements that spread throughout Western Europe: Classicism and Naturalism. These two styles are exemplified by Annibale Carracci, a key figure of Classicism, and Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, the leading figure of Naturalism.

Annibale Carracci (1560-1609)

Considered on par with Renaissance masters like Raphael and Michelangelo, Carracci moved to Rome in 1595. There, he developed a grand and dramatic style, drawing from the study of nature, classical antiquity, and the works of his predecessors. He painted mythological stories, such as the tales of Hercules and Ulysses, in the Farnese Palace. In the same palace, he created one of his most famous works, a fresco cycle based on Ovid's Metamorphoses. His notable canvas works include the Assumption of the Virgin, located in the church of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome.

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610)

Caravaggio's style is defined by its intense realism and tenebrism (the dramatic use of darkness). His realism led him to depict religious figures and scenes with the grit of everyday life. Tenebrism is an extreme application of the chiaroscuro technique, where darkness dominates the image and light is used to spotlight figures, creating stark contrast. The backgrounds of his compositions are typically dark, with only the subjects of interest dramatically illuminated.

He began his career in a workshop in Milan before moving to Rome. One of his early Roman works is Bacchus. Later, he intensified his use of chiaroscuro in masterpieces such as:

• The Supper at Emmaus
• The Entombment of Christ
• The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew
• The Conversion of Saint Paul
• The Crucifixion of Saint Peter
• The Death of the Virgin