Baroque Period
Unit 4 IP
Art Appreciation
Nicole Woodford
American Intercontinental University

May 6, 2012

Abstract
“Baroque was born in Italy, and later adopted in France, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain. The word "baroque" was first applied to the art of period from the late 1500s to the late 1700s, by critics in the late nineteen century. Baroque covers a wide range of styles and artists. In painting and sculpture we recognize three main forms of Baroque:

Baroque that was primarily associated with the religious tensions within Western Christianity: division on Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. In response to the Protestant Reformation of the early sixteen century, the Roman Catholic Church had embarked in the 1550s on a program of renewal known as the Counter - Reformation.” (htt2)

http://www.albany.edu/scj/jcjpc/figures/st-paul.jpg
The Conversion of Saint Paul by: Caravaggio

“This painting represents the moment when Saul (later to be renamed Paul) is on the road to Damascus to carry out a persecution of the young Christian community. He has a vision as Christ calls out to him, "Why are you persecuting me?" In the position of the St Paul and of the Christ, and in the movement of the horse into the depth of the picture, this work is still related to the tradition of Michelangelo, but there are decidedly Caravaggesque elements in the work, such as the face of the angel supporting Christ. and in the play of light upon Paul's fallen form.” (Caravaggio:)
It was said that the first version of this painting was rejected by Tiberio Cerasi, treasurer general to pope Clement VIII.
Caravaggio was an artist known for his down to earth realism and dramatic use of light, he created vivid and dramatic paintings, “he used light to imply a blinding flash, symbolizing the evangelist sudden and soul shattering conversion.” (Frank, 2011). This form of work fits into the Baroque period because it had more of a focus on realisim, it put an emphasis on personal and mystical types of faith, his lifelike quality heightened the religious experience.

Return of the prodigal son by: Rembrandt http://www.rembrandtpainting.net/prodigal_son/Rembrandt.jpg In this painting Rembrandt depicts a young disobedient boy who runs away from his family and takes his inheritance with him but, when he leaves he wastes all the money and returns back to his father seeking work. Instead the wealth father welcomes his son back into the home. “The aged artist's power of realism is not diminished, but increased by psychological insight and spiritual awareness. Expressive lighting and colouring and the magic suggestiveness of his technique, together with a selective simplicity of setting, help us to feel the full impact of the event.” (Rembrandt's Prodigal Son, 2012). Just like Caravaggio’s art, Rembrandt’s art had a biblical perspective with their art, that is displayed with energy and feeling.

The rising of the cross by: Peter Paul http://static.artbible.info/large/rubens_oprichtig.jpg The rising of the cross is also a religious baroque painting, the painting shows Jesus being risen up on the after being crucified, the painting is filled with drama and power. The strong, tainted figures lug the ropes in order to raise the cross, carrying the pale body of Jesus. drama and power. The strong, tainted figures lug the ropes in order to raise the cross, carrying the pale body of Jesus. The influence of Michelangelo and Tintoretto on Rubens is obvious in the muscular bodies. Peter Paul Rubens was a renowned diplomatic artist.
All of the Baroque paintings presented above represent a religious point of view from three different artist. The baroque period was a time when most art was centered around religious and spiritual beliefs, all the painting examples are stories that can be found in the bible. Baroque painters usually used a revolutionary technique of dramatic, selective illumination of figures out of deep shadow

Works Cited
(n.d.). Retrieved from Caravaggio:: http://www.bc.edu
Rembrandt's Prodigal Son. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.rembrandtpainting.net/rembrandt's_prodigal_son.html
Frank, P. (2011). Prebles Artforms. New York: Pearson.
Works Cited
(n.d.). Retrieved from Caravaggio:: http://www.bc.edu
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/c17th-mid19th/baroque.htm
Rembrandt's Prodigal Son. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.rembrandtpainting.net/rembrandt's_prodigal_son.html
Frank, P. (2011). Prebles Artforms. New York: Pearson. n/a. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/c17th-mid19th/baroque.htm: http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/images/baroque.jpg