Baroque ArtCharacteristics

Powerful use of chiaroscuro. Contrasting of light and shadow. They range from brilliant to deep gloom.Dramatic compositions with strong diagonals and swirling action.Genre scenes – scenes that told stories of everyday life.

Caravaggio 1573-1610An Italian artist who influenced the work of Rembrandt and Dutch artists.He was a master of light and shadow.He unified complex compositions with dramatic effects.

• Martyrdom of St. Matthew, 1600

Bruegal 1525-1569

A Flemish artist. His painting can be seen as a parable, a story that contains a symbolic message. Concerned with detail.

Bruegal 1525-1569Tower of Babel, 1563

BruegalHunter in the Snow, 1565

BruegalPeasant Wedding, 1568

Rembrandt 1606-1669

Baroque artist from Holland. Dramatic use of light and shadow and strong contrast.Influenced by the spotlighting of the theater. Expressive portrait painter of groups and individuals.Work largely devoted to sacred subjects. Also painted mythological subjects.

RembrandtThe Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp, 1632

RembrandtDetail of Anatomy Lesson

Rembrandt

Blinding of Samson, 1636

RembrandtSelf-portrait with Saskia, 1636

Etching

RembrandtSelf-portrait, 1640

Oil on canvas

RembrandtThe Night Watch, 1642Corporate portraits-each person in painting paid to be in it.

RembrandtThree Trees, 1643

Etching

RembrandtDetail of Three Trees

RembrandtLittle children being brought to Jesus, 1647-49

Etching, dry point

RembrandtThe Mill, 1650

Oil on canvas

RembrandtLion Resting, 1650-52, pen & ink

RembrandtAristotle contemplating the bust of Homer, 1653

Oil on canvas

RembrandtDescent from the Cross, 1654

Dry point

RembrandtLife Study of a Youth Pulling at a Rope, 1656-58

Pen & Ink

RembrandtSelf-portrait, 1660

Oil on canvas

Rubens 1577-1640

Captured the dynamic spirit of the Baroque style.He used rich colors, dramatic design and powerful, twisting figures.Used light to illuminate the important parts of his paintings.

RubensDaniel in the Lion Den, 1615

RubensDance of the Villagers, 1636

RubensSelf-portrait, 1638-40

Comparison of Rembrandt and Rubens

Descent from the Cross, Rembrandt

Descent from the Cross, Rubens

1611-141654