Baroque Artists of Europe - Assignment Example

13 BAROQUE ARTISTS OF EUROPE The term baroque was derived from the Italian term “Barocco” meaning an obstacle in a schematic logic. The baroque art period in Europe (Italy) dates back to the 17th century, although some of its manifestations were evident even during the 16th century. Baroque art is usually defined as contradictory and complex as compared to other art styles and periods. Baroque artwork usually shares a common attribute of evoking the viewer’s emotional status by appealing to them, and this is in a dramatic way. In general, baroque art evokes emotional exuberance, vitality, drama, tension, and sensuous richness to mention but a few. In a context more oriented to art, baroque art can be referred to as “bizarre” art in that it departed from any proportions or rules otherwise set by art in the ancient periods (Fitzpatrick 2005, p. 8). The following are thirteen popular artists from this unique 17 century art period. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio Born September 1571, died July 1610. Operated in Sicily, Malta, Naples and Rome. Did realistic human states and used lighting to create drama in the emotional and physical states. Was trained by Simone Peterzano, who was trained by Titian. Did paintings, mostly for churches while in his twenties in Rome. Was popular with the chiaroscuro (movement from dark to light). Rose to fame in the 1600s after painting Calling of St Mathew and Martyrdom of Saint Mathew. Was a vandal, and had the pope issue a death warrant for him Died of fever at age 38 Sir Peter Paul Rubens Born June 1577, died 1640. A Flemish baroque painter who used sensuality, colour and movement to create emphasis. Is popular for creating landscapes, altarpieces and portraits regarded as allegorical and mythical. Had a large studio in Antwerp. Was knighted by several kings of England such as Phillip IV, and Charles I. Was introduced to art by Otto Van Veen and Adam Van Noort. Used to cop works of earlier artists such as Hans Holbein and Marcantino Raimondi. Gian Lorenzo Bernini Born in December 1598, died November 1680. Was a renowned Italian artist, sculptor, and architect operating from Rome. His baroque was manifested in his sculptures. His style was depicting intense states of psychological human nature. Was so good at art he was perceived of as Michelangelo’s successor. Most of his themes were religious, and he used light sources to create points of focus. Was a great rival of Borromini. Lost popularity when the baroque art took to neoclassical criticism. Rembrandt Harmenszoon Van Rijn Was born July 1606, died October 1669. Was a popular (Baroque) Dutch painter and etcher. Was discovered by Constantjin Huygens, who got him numerous commissions from the Hague Court. Is amongst the most popular painters in Europe’s Dutch history. Did most of his art in his youth, but lessened it in old age. Was best at self-portraits and Bible-themed illustrations. Was good at interpreting the classical iconography. One of his most popular works is The Storm on the Sea of Galilee. Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velazquez Born in June 1599, died August 1660. Was a Spanish Baroque artist, popular in the Spanish Golden Age. Worked for the King Phillip IV’s court. As did numerous portraits for the royal family and other honorary figures in Europe His most popular piece is the 1656 Las Meninas. His work was an inspiration for Impressionist and Realist artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Edouard Manet. Annibale Carracci Was born November 1560 in Bologna, died July 1609. He was a popular Italian baroque painter. Inspiration derived from his family, such as a brother who had an art studio, same as his cousin. One of his famous commissions was given by the Duke of Parma for decorating the Camerino. He was good with genre scenes, portraits, landscapes and thematic, not forgetting his caricatures. He was mentoring students who later came to win the art scenes such as Giovanni Lanfranco, Domenichino, and Sisto Badalocchio Johan Vermeer Was born in 1632, and died in 1675. He was a Dutch painter Much of his work was scenes of interior middle-class’ lives. Unlike other artists, was not wealthy as he did very few paintings. Was known to be slow and a perfectionist, and preferred bright colours and expensive pigments. All his paintings had similar interior scenes thought to be his house in Delft. He was not very popular while alive, but after his death, Gustav Friedrich rediscovered him and he rose to fame. Artemisia Gentileschi Was born July 1593, died 1656 Was an Italian Baroque painter, famous for succeeding Carravagio. Reigned during a period when women were not easily accepted in the art scenes. Was the first female to be allowed as a member of the Florence Academy DI Arte Del Disegno. Derived themes from the bible depicting suffering women. Her most popular piece is Judith BeheadingHolofernes. Was once raped and opened charges against her rapist. She is one of the most popular (early) female painters. Nicolas Poussin Born in June 1594, died in November 1665. Was the mentoring artist of the classical French Baroque art. His work depicted preference of the line above colour, order. Logic, and clarity. Was an inspiration to younger artists such as Paul Cezanne, Jacques-Louis David, and Jean Auguste. Was mostly working from Rome, but was once taken to France to paint for the King by Cardinal Richelieu. Much of his work is about mythology, religion, and history into which he emphasized on the landscape. Anthony Van Dyck Born in March 1599, died in December 1641. Was a Flemish Baroque artist. Was inspired by Titian’s works. Became the lead court painter of England. Made popular by Charles I’s portrait of court and family. Liked to paint men with the pointed beard. Also, did mythological and biblical paintings. Preferred etching and watercolour, and was a great draftsman. He is honored by the maning of an oil pigment as Van Dyck Brown. Pietro da Cortona (Pietro Berrettini) Born in November 1596, died around May 1669. Began his art in Florence under his tutor Andrea Commodi, and later left for Baccio Ciarpi’s studio. Was the most popular Baroque artist of his time, rivaling Gian Lorenzo and Francesco Borromini. Also, did the interior decorating. Was made popular by his paintings on the Salone ceiling, and several commissions for the Medici family. Was an architect, but unpopular in that aspect. Frans Hals the Elder Born in 1582 in the Southern Netherlands, died in 1666. Was a Dutch Golden Age Painter. Introduced a style of painting with a loose brush. Also influenced the portraiture of the 17th century. Most of his works were found at the St. Jans Kerk, Haarlem. Around 1625, quit religious painting and took to portraiture. One of his popular works is Jacobus Zaffius’ portrait of 1611 and the Rene Descartes. Was in 1616 prosecuted for mistreating his wife, Anneke Hermansz. Bartolome Esteban Murillo Born in December 1617, and died in April 1682. Was a Spanish baroque artist His much known works were religious, but he also did contemporary paintings. Most of them were portraits of people in their daily routines. Was introduced to art by Juan Del Castillo where he learnt mostly Flemish paint styles. Was amongst the pioneers of the Academia de Bellas Artes. One of his greatest pieces is the Christ After the Flagellation. Bibliography Fitzpatrick, A 2005. The Baroque period. Mankato, Minn, Creative Education. Read More