|
|
|
|
|
Baroque Art
|
|
|
What is Baroque art? Formally, Baroque art applies to the era in art history that dominated most of arts of the seventeenth century (the enlightenment or, what we call the Age of Newton). The era is differentiated from earlier periods by the currents of individualism and nationalism, currents that are fundamentally a product of the ideas emerging as a result of the development of printing around 1450. In general, Baroque artwork is elaborate, energetic, and passionate. The use of curves and detail are characteristic of the movement. Baroque is often associated with dynamic and rich images of textured, flowing robes. Although the period is also strongly associated with religious art, the Catholic Counter-Reformation gives much of its impetus. Not all Baroque work is related to any church religious symbolism. The Baroque in the North of Holland took a decidedly different turn from the Southern baroque. This Protestant area was extraordinarily liberal and cosmopolitan and wealthy. A healthy middle and merchant class thrived there and there developed a strong demand for art - art created expressly for the home: interiors, still-life, landscapes and portraits - the artist was also free to do what he or she liked - paint first - sell later. So in many respects Dutch art reflects the society from which it emerges Still life had since been abandoned since the times of the ancient Romans. The ancient Romans used still life paintings as a means to poke fun at social manners. When the Dutch revived still life it was used as reinforcement to the idea that all things pass and that we had better examine our consciences. In baroque still life insects, snails, flowers, and fruit are all commonly used. In these instances the insects and snails are eating and destroying the food and flowers. The flowers die very quickly and the watches mark the passing of the time, adding to the idea that all things pass and that we had better look towards our souls. Baroque still life uses all the visual techniques as the Romans did but they are now become more highly developed. Due to the Calvinist movement in northern Europe, northern, or restrained baroque was driven by the middle class townspeople. The main focus of the art during this time is civic values as opposed to monarchial and religious propaganda. Art now becomes driven by the general interest of the people. Humanity had tried to be humble but had failed so artists seek to represent a humble humanity. In still life paintings, Calvinist morality is demonstrated through the symbolism of the objects in the paintings. During the baroque period, still life came to be called nature morte, or dead art that focused on the inanimate with or without symbolism. Baroque artwork gives you the feeling that there is more happening that you cannot see. The picture seems to be spilling out of the frames. This is different from the paintings of the Renaissance, which used three-point perspective and seemed to contain the work. The use of lighting is also important. There is contrast between light and dark areas creating an almost theatrical sense of lighting. The subjects of many of the pieces of this time do not glorify the saints but rather the humble human. Artists placed foreshortened objects such as a dish so that it appeared to overlap the picture in order to create a “real” feeling by making it seem that it projects into our own space and that we can actually touch what is in the picture. The use of rich colors helps to appeal to the senses once again creating a “real” feeling. Almost everything in the paintings is perishable. The paintings are supposed to represent the transience of life. Especially in still life paintings, artists tried to evoke all five senses to draw you into the painting. Cornelis de Heem was born in 1631 in Leiden and died in 1695 in Antwerpen. He was the son of the great painter Jan Davidsz de Heem (1606-1684). He was considered to be one of the greatest baroque still-life painters in Holland. Many of his works included arrangements of fruits, metal dishes and wine glasses as well as the compositions of books and musical instruments. He worked primarily with the vanity of life theme, incorporating symbolic articles such as skulls and hourglasses. Although he was not quite the equal of his father he was an extraordinary artist and many of his works are preserved in museums throughout the world. The painting that I chose is an untitled still life by Cornelis de Heem.
|
|
|
|
Still Can't Find What Your Looking For? Then Try a Essay Search!
|
