Baroque Period

churrigueresco was the artistic period dating from 1600 to 1750 in European history. Derived from the Lusitanian word barocco, Baroque literally means an uneven pearl. Often compared to Hellenistic art, Baroque artists discovered emotions and utilise strong contrasts of light and shade showcasing continued motion in their works. Cunningham L. S. & Reich J. J. (2006) state that It is not surprising that the terminus baroque, originally used to describe the extravagant European art of the seventeenth century C. E. , is often employ to the art of the Hellenistic period.The artists responsible for these innovations created their works for a new kind of patron. (p. 77) Baroque was born in Italy. From the Renaissance period of symmetry, monumentality, balance and odd forms, the Baroque period was characte face liftd by bold, curves and asymmetrical themes in paintings and buildings. Heinrich Wolfflin, in Principles of Art History the problem of the development of style in later art (1 932 translated 1950, Page 14), explained the differences amidst the art of the 16th and 17th centuries stating that baroque (or, let us say, modern art) is neither a rise nor a decline from classic, but a totally different art. It also reflected the growth of monarchies as much(prenominal)(prenominal) a style suited the aristocracy who thought of integrated structures. Intense spirituality, realism of daily life, and mental exploitation depicted in works of art and sculptures are highlights of Baroque art. Cunningham L. S. & Reich J. J. (2006) explain that During the Baroque period, artists were attracted by extremes of feeling sometimes these strong emotions were personal.Painters and poets a worry tried to look into their own souls and reveal by alter or words the depths of their own psychic and spiritual experience. The desire to express the inexpressible required the finesse of new techniques. As a result, baroque art placed great emphasis on virtuosity. Sculptors and pain ters achieved astounding realm in the way in which they handled their media. Stone was carved in a way such as to give the effect of thin, flowing drapery, while seventeenth-century painters found ways to reproduce complex do of light and shade.(p. 359) Some of the main representatives of baroque art are Michelangelo Merisi-Caravaggio (Portrait of a Courtesan-1597), Annibale Carracci (River Landscape-1595), Agostino Carracci (Lamentation of Christ-1606), Rembrandt (The Jewish Bride-1666), Nicholas Poussin (The Plague at Ashdod-1630), Georges De La Tour (The Fortune Teller-1620-1621) Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velazquez (Prince Balthasar Carlos-1635), Peter Paul Rubens (Mercury and Argus-1638), and Jan Vermeer (The Artist in his Atelier-1670).Like art, Baroque architecture too progressed from renaissance in Italy. Curving facades, oval shape, triangular areas between rooftops, tips scrolls and gilded and effigy curves with luxurious materials and ornate decorations were emphasize d upon instead of symmetry. The most famous work is the Palace of Versailles, France (built by Louis XIV) which was a symbol of wealth and power. Baroque architects used marble, gilt and bronze in their works.Ceilings used illusionism where paintings were done and looked like engravings for expressing emotions. The main representatives of Baroque architecture were Gianlorenzo Bernini (Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, 1645-1652) and Francesco Borromini (SantIvo alla Sapienza, 1640-1650). The late Baroque era was known as fancy (1700-1780). In this era, the sculptors obtained unified spaces, created decorative schemes and emphasized on structural elements (Church of the Carmine, Turin, Italy, 1732, by Filippo Juvarra).Baroque style moved by of Rome and split in two different forms The Roman Catholic countries (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria and South Germany) and Protestant regions (England, Netherlands and remnant of northern Europe). The Catholic countries were inclined towards freer a nd active surfaces thereby appealing through the senses, whereas the Protestant countries were more inhibit and developed a quiet monumentality. As it migrated, Baroque style underwent changes in different countries according to the traditions, preferences and outlooks. In France, the architecture was geometrical, formal and precise merging with the Rococo style.Dutch painting was sober and detailed and Dutch architecture was affected by political and commercial events, thereby emphasizing on beauty and nature of the shopping centre class. Germany continued with its alpine wood crafting tradition in sculptures. The Baroque style moved towards extravagance in Spain and Latin America. In the latter half of the 18th century, baroque transitioned to romanticism which was the age of enlightenment. References Cunningham L. S. & Reich J. J. (2006). Culture and value A survey of the Humanities. Boston Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.