Overview
This lecture explores the origins, characteristics, and key figures of the Italian and Spanish Baroque periods, highlighting their distinctive artistic styles and major contributions to Western art.
Italian Baroque: Foundations and Features
- The Baroque began in Italy, evolving from the classical art principles established during the Renaissance.
- Annibale Carracci promoted classical ideals and founded the first Art Academy, institutionalizing Renaissance traditions.
- Caravaggio introduced a dramatic, realistic style with strong lighting (chiaroscuro) and intense realism, inspiring many followers.
- Baroque art emphasized spectacle, theatricality, movement, and emotional engagement, diverging from the balance and moderation of classicism.
- Artists aimed to activate and involve viewers physically and emotionally through dynamic compositions.
Key Italian Baroque Sculptors
- Giambologna (Jean de Bologne), though Flemish, was influential in Italian sculpture; his "Rape of the Sabine Women" uses spiral motion to narrate a complex story in a single marble block.
- Francesco Mochi adopted sharp edges and intensified movement in his sculptures, prioritizing energy over classical restraint.
- Gian Lorenzo Bernini was a master sculptor and architect, known for capturing climactic moments and lifelike textures in works like "Apollo and Daphne".
Women Artists in the Baroque
- Artemisia Gentileschi overcame personal adversity to become a major Baroque painter, often focusing on themes of female justice and vengeance.
- Gentileschi adopted Caravaggio's dramatic lighting and realism, specializing in powerful, emotionally charged narrative scenes.
- Luisa Roldán ("La Roldana") excelled in terracotta sculpture, achieving high realism and Baroque energy in religious subject matter.
Spanish Baroque and Diego Velázquez
- Spanish Baroque gained prominence around 1600, contributing significantly to European art.
- Diego Velázquez became Spain's foremost Baroque painter, noted for lifelike portraits and genre scenes depicting ordinary people.
- Velázquez emphasized psychological depth and dignity in subjects, including court members and people of diverse backgrounds.
- His masterpiece "Las Meninas" is a complex group portrait involving viewers in its narrative, reflecting Baroque innovation.
- Velázquez's manservant, Juan de Pareja, was also a talented painter, with works reflecting Baroque naturalism and technical skill.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Baroque — An artistic style (17th–18th centuries) characterized by drama, movement, and emotion.
- Classicism — Art style emphasizing harmony, balance, and restraint, rooted in ancient Greek and Roman traditions.
- Chiaroscuro — Use of strong contrasts between light and shadow for dramatic effect.
- Contrapposto — Stance in sculpture where weight rests on one leg, creating naturalistic balance.
- Mimesis — Imitation of nature or real life in art.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review images of discussed artworks for visual reference.
- Read about the differences between Baroque and Renaissance art.
- Prepare notes on how Baroque artists engaged viewers emotionally and physically.