Early Modern Art

Catholic Baroque

ArtVs.The

Protestant Dutch

Masters“The Annunciation” – Sebastiano Mazzoni

“Courtyard of a House in Delft” – Pieter de Hooch

When was the Baroque Period?

The baroque period in European art began in the late 16th century and continued through the 17th century finally ending around 1700 when it was supplanted by the rococo and later the neo-classical styles.“The Ecstasy of St. Cecilia” – Bernardo Cavallino, 1645

What’s Happening in Europe?

By the start of the baroque period, the renaissance was coming to a close and the reformation was creating religious wars and divides across the continent.

The Catholic church was trying to maintain its membership and its control over much of Europe while the Lutherans and Calvinists were gaining a stronghold, particularly in parts of Northern Europe.

Religious Differences

Catholic leaders tried to impress the people by incorporating more and more dramatic and elaborate paintings and sculptures into their churches. Political leaders also picked up on

the ability of art to celebrate national accomplishments.

Cerisi Chapel, Church of Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome--Caravaggio

Religious Differences, cont’ Calvinist leaders believed that too

much fancy art, etc. was a distraction to worship and destroyed many statues of saints, etc. Artists in Calvinist areas, such as the

Dutch Republic, had to find new subjects and many turned to still life, portraiture, and paintings of everyday scenes. (Art of the Dutch Masters)

Baroque Art

The desire to evoke emotional states by appealing to the senses, often in dramatic ways, underlies Baroque Art.

Characteristics include grandeur, sensuous richness, drama, vitality, movement, tension, emotional exuberance, and often a natural background.

“The Penitent Magdalen” – Agostino Carracci

“The Vision of St. Jerome” - Guercino

“Daniel in the Lions’ Den” – Peter Paul Rubens

Baroque DetailCologne

Cathedral

Baroque Sculpture

“The Ecstasy of St. Theresa” Church of Santa Susannah, Rome--Bernini

“Equestrian Monument to Philip IV” – Pietro Tacca

Baroque Art

“The Princess Margarita” -Valasquez

Dutch Masters Early Modern Dutch and N.

European Art was strongly influenced by the new Protestant religions—especially Calvinism.

Dutch art portrayed everyday life scenes and often showed the people wearing their normal, puritan-style clothing.

The MillRembrand

t

BruegelThe

Harvesters

Frans Hals

Willem van Heythuyzen

Vermeer

Lady Writing a Letter

The Baker Berckheyde