This quarter has been a very eye opening experience for me in the terms of art history. There have been so many incredible eras during the class that it is hard to settle for just one. However, I’d have to say that one of the most fascinating periods for me was the Baroque timeframe. I have many reasons for this choice and every time I look back on these certain pieces, it unravels my mind on how much complexity and time went into each of the paintings in particular.
One of the features from these paintings that have captured my attention is how they were able to illustrate such advanced techniques regarding lighting effects. The element of creating such a dark and eerie piece was one of the things that drew me closer to these paintings, I can’t imagine how these artists were able to capture such moments that most of us can only capture with a camera today. Another thing I really commend about these artists, as while they were still somewhat religious pieces, there were thrown into awkward and obscure positions that differentiate them from any other time period. Through the idea, they executed figures emerging from the darkness, (also known as tenebrism) which helped illustrate each figures importance and derived where the focal point should be elaborated.
During the Baroque period, it is easy to determine who one of the most important artists of this timeframe was. Obviously Caravaggio. In my opinion, he revolutionized the style into what it became during the seventeenth century. One of his pieces that have really stood out to me was The Conversion of St. Paul (as seen on page 724 of Stokstad). This piece represents almost every element of the Baroque period, to the tenebrism, to the triangular focus of the horse standing above the figure on the ground with his hands spread apart. It also surprises me how Caravaggio made the horse as the largest figure in the painting; however, the focal attention is drawn towards the Saint Paul lying on the floor after being bucked off the horse.
This is just one example of how the Baroque period was such an invoking idea through the seventeenth century. The dramatic and over exaggerated scenes were definitely a new element through artwork that captured the attention of many individual viewers during this period and certain pieces of this style have carried on through generations of artwork.
The Baroque period truly was fascinating. I was inspired by their realism and details in their images like you said is movement only a camera can capture these days. I too enjoyed the Conversion of St. Paul. It represented the baroque time very well. Like what you noticed, my focus was drawn to the man on the floor even though the largest aspect of the piece was the horse. I think the Baroque was a unique time and brought us intriguing images.
ReplyDeleteI too was drawn to the dynamic and dramatic images from this time period. and its also very interesting about the horse not being the focal point in that image. perhaps its because the horse's head is almost the same colors as the person holding it? maybe thats why our attention is drawn immediately down to the red of the cloth around John on the ground. that and the fact that it almost appears as if the horse is seconds away from stepping on John... That could also do it if you ask me :)
ReplyDeleteHave a safe Break!!