Beginning at the end of 16th century, Baroque art in Europe lasted for about one hundred years. During this period, the Catholic church faced the challenges of rising Protestant faiths. This religious conflict, known as Counter Reformation, formed the spirit of Baroque art. Here are some characteristics:
- Baroque art is Non-classical
- Baroque painting has high contrast between light and dark
CARAVAGGIO, Calling of Saint Matthew, ca. 1597–1601. Oil on canvas, 11’ 1” x 11’ 5”. Contarelli Chapel, San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome
- Baroque art has a lot of dynamic movement
ARTEMISIA GENTILESCHI, Judith Slaying Holofernes, ca. 1614–1620. Oil on canvas, 6’ 6 1/3” x 5’ 4”. Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.
- Baroque art shows spatial complexity
PIETRO DA CORTONA, Triumph of the Barberini, ceiling fresco in the Gran Salone, Palazzo Barberini, Rome, Italy, 1633–1639.
- Baroque art demonstrates exceeding emotions
The most influential artists of the Baroque in Italy and Spain are Caravaggio (1571-1610) and Bernini (1598-1680). Other significant artists are Annibale Carracci (1560 – 1609), Pietro da Cortona (1596/7 – 1669), Francesco Borromini (1599 – 1667).
Formal Breakdown
CARAVAGGIO, Entombment, from the chapel of Pietro Vittrice, Santa Maria in Vallicella, Rome, Italy, ca. 1603. Oil on canvas, 9’ 10 1/8” x 6’ 7 15/16”. Musei Vaticani, Rome.
Composition:
The composition of the Entombment is very inviting. The tombstone is at eye level. Everything is right at the foreground, as if the artist has included the audience to be part of the event. This is the moment that Jesus is about to be placed in the tomb. The figures are composed on a dynamic diagonal line. Space is packed with figures. It is asymmetrical.
Color:
The color palette is dark and rich. It concentrates on black, red and lead white, as well as including umber, yellow ochre light, burnt sienna, and green.
Lighting:
The background is very dark (almost black). It is as if there is a beam of strong light illuminating the foreground figure. This makes a high contrast in value. Jesus is the most brightly lighted of all of them.
Form:
It is naturalistic. Jesus looks like an ordinary person.Other figures are also look like people from street. Caravaggio painted great amount details. I am particularly fascinated with how he painted the hand below Jesus’s shoulder. The fingers have touched Jesus wound. The painting displays a very emotional moment.
Baroque painting Style for a character in children’s movie
The Chronicles of Narnia from Walden Media, LLC.
Character: Susan Pevensie
1. The background_ Baroque painting often has a very dark background. I chose the background from Rembrandt”s, The Company of Frans Banning Cocq and Willem van Ruytenburch, known as the ‘Night Watch’. (Height: 379.5 cm, Width: 453.5 cm), not only because of the dark color, but also for the similar theme of the background story.
2. The dress_ I chose original design of the character, Susan Pevensie from The Chronicles of Narnia from Walden Media, LLC. to preserve the original characteristics.
3. The pose_ Baroque art often demonstrates a lot of movement and violence. I rotate the pose to give more movement.
4. The color key_ Artemisia Gentileschi is a well known female artist of the baroque period. The grey / green color dress of Gentileschi’s Self-portrait as the Allegory of Painting is well suited to Susan Pevensie’s dress color palette.
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