Baroque Period

c. 1550-1750

"Baroque" = from Portugese barroco meaning "misshapen pearl" substantially different (style wise) from what came before it protestant baroque - introspective, epistemological

Characteristics?

• affective (emotional)
• theatrical
• overworked
• flamboyant
• often mixes media
• illusionistic
• strong light / dark contrast

What made it happen?

• Europe discovered the Americas
  • brought tremendous wealth: gold, luxury
• Reformation
  • Catholic aesthetic response
    • to bring believers back to mother church
    • assert authority
  • Protestant minimalism
    • sola scriptura
    • personalized faith

Examples

• Bernini's David
• St Peter's Basilica
• Elevation of the Cross
  • Rembrandt's (Protestant)
  • Ruben's (Catholic)
• Claesz's Still Life with Tozza
  • caught in the middle of eating you don't know when you'll be called away