BAROQUE ART



In fine art, the term Baroque derived from the Portuguese 'barocco' meaning, 'irregular pearl or stone' describes a fairly complex idiom, originating in Rome, which flowered during the period c.1590-1720, and which embraced painting, and sculpture as well as architecture. After the idealism of the Renaissance (c.1400-1530), and the slightly 'forced' nature of Mannerism (c.1530-1600), Baroque art above all reflected the religious tensions of the age - notably the desire of the Catholic Church in Rome as annunciated at the Council of Trent, 1545-63 to reassert itself in the wake of the Protestant Reformation. Thus it is almost synonymous with Catholic counterReformation art of the period.

In order to fulfill its propagandist role, Catholic-inspired Baroque art tended to be large-scale works of public art, such as monumental wall-paintings and huge frescoes for the ceilings and vaults of palaces and churches. Baroque Painting illustrated key elements of Catholic dogma, either directly in Biblical works or indirectly in mythological or allegorical compositions. Along with this monumental, high-minded approach, painters typically portrayed a strong sense of movement, using swirling spirals and upward diagonals, and strong sumptuous colour schemes, in order to dazzle and surprise. New techniques of teneberism and chiaroscuro were developed to enhance atmosphere. Brushwork is creamy and broad, often resulting in thick impasto. However, the theatricality and melodrama of Baroque painting was not well received by later critics, like the influential John Ruskin (1819-1900), who considered it insincere. Baroque sculpture, typically larger-than-life size, is marked by a similar sense of dynamic movement, along with an active use of space.

Baroque architecture was designed to create spectacle and illusion. Thus the straight lines of the Renaissance were replaced with flowing curves, while domes/roofs were enlarged, and interiors carefully constructed to produce spectacular effects of light and shade. It was an emotional style, which, wherever possible, exploited the theatrical potential of the urban landscape - as illustrated by St Peter's Square (1656-67) in Rome, leading up to St peter's Basilica. Its designer, bernini, one of the greatest Baroque architects ringed the square with colonnades, to convey the impression to visitors that they are being embraced by the arms of the Catholic Church.



The Characteristics Of Baroque Art:
  • Powerful Use Of Chiaroscuro
  • Contrasting Of Light And Shadow
  • Dramatic Compositions With Strong Diagonals And Swirling Action
  • Genre Scenes

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