Chiaroscuro, Acoustics, and Key Movements in European Art History

Art Techniques: Chiaroscuro and Grisaille

Chiaroscuro: Translating Three Dimensions

• Chiaroscuro allows us to translate three dimensions onto a two-dimensional plane.
• It represents volume by distributing lights and shadows.
• Tone gradations are crucial for creating depth.
• Materials used for Chiaroscuro: Pencil, ink, charcoal, and charcoal stick.

Grisaille: The Base for Illumination

• Grisaille is used as a base to represent illumination.
• It typically uses muted colors (gray, ocher, blue).
• Its purpose is to represent areas of maximum light.

Acoustics and Sound Characteristics

Defining Acoustics

Acoustics is the branch of physics that studies sound, including its characteristics, production, and transmission.

Branches of Acoustics

• Physical Acoustics
• Physiological Acoustics
• Musical Acoustics

Sound Qualities and Characteristics

• Qualities: Regular or irregular.
• Characteristics: Pitch (Height), Intensity (Loudness), Duration, Timbre, and Texture.

Tone and Frequency

• Pitch (Depth of Tone): The level of acuity or severity of a sound.
• Frequency: Depends on the sound wave.
• Frequency Measurement: AM (Amplitude Modulation) and FM (Frequency Modulation).

Musical Notation

Musical notation refers to the various means used to write down music.

Baroque Art Movement

Baroque Art saw an evolution towards a new decorative style, highlighting rationalism and empiricism.

Key Characteristics of Baroque

• Naturalism
• Expressiveness
• Intense use of light and shade (Chiaroscuro)

Notable Artists and Works

• Lorenzo Bernini: Active in the Vatican, Italy.
• Outstanding Works: Apollo and Daphne and The Ecstasy of St. Teresa.

Rococo Style

Rococo is a decorative style that originated in France.

Rococo Authors

• Watteau
• Fragonard
• Boucher

Associated Artists (Mixed List)

Lorenzo Bernini, Caravaggio, Frans Hals, Watteau, Fragonard, Boucher.

Neoclassicism: Return to Classical Sources

Neoclassicism is a style that sought to return to the classical sources of Greek and Roman art.

This movement matched the prevailing rationalism of the era, often supported by the pressure of the Academy.

18th Century Architecture

The new classical taste inspired the construction of public buildings during the 18th century.

Highlights in Sculpture

The Venetian sculptor Antonio Canova was highlighted, known for works such as Psyche, Eros, and Hebe.

18th Century Painting Note

The Baroque revolution in France led to a new decorative style called Rococo (which characterized painting in the early 18th century).

European Art Schools and Masters

The Dutch School

The Dutch School multiplied themes, focusing on genres such as:

• Still life
• Landscapes and Seascapes
• Interiors

Key Dutch Masters and Works

• Frans Hals: Collective narrative painter.
• Vermeer: Known for Artist's Studio.
• Rembrandt: Creator of gloom and realism. Notable works include The Night Watch and The Anatomy Lesson.

The Flemish School

The Flemish School style features the work of Peter Paul Rubens.

• Van Dyck: Painter of popular scenes.

Spanish Schools (Castilian and Seville)

Major Schools and Sculptors

• Castilian School (Gregorio Fernández)
• Seville School (Martínez Montañés)

Featured Spanish Painters

• Ribera
• Zurbarán
• Murillo
• Velázquez

Miscellaneous Cultural Facts

• Goya Film Country: Spain
• Pompeii Location: Rome, European Continent.
• National Palace Year of Construction: 1947