From the Baroque Period through the Romantic Age May 20, 2010 Unit 4 Individual Project ART205-1002B-12 American InterContinental University Abstract During this assignment I will talk about three types of Work of Art from three different artists from the Baroque period through the postmodern era. 1). Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio; 2) Rembrandt van Rijn; and 3) Peter Paul Rubens, these three artists were known for their religious theme in their art work. The naturalism that was visibly demonstrated in each of the artist work with high contrast of lighting that noticeably appeared in these paintings.
Each artist was well known and respected for their work. The three artists Works of Art that I have chosen are: Michelangelo Caravaggio: The Calling of St. Matthew c. 1599-1602 (Oil on Canvas) Description of Caravaggio Work of Art The Calling of St. Matthew is from the Baroque period. The art work is showing a scene at the tavern with St. Matthew sitting at the table counting the day’s take with a few of his agents. St. Matthew was formerly a tax collector. (Sayre, 2010) By judging their attire they appeared to be wealth. Viewing the picture from the right you could see two barefoot and humble figures, which one of them was Jesus.
Jesus was calling St. Matthew to join them pointing at himself in amazement. The main thing that is letting us know this is a religious painting is the faint indication of a halo above Christ’s head. (Sayre, 2010) About the Artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was born in Milan around September 29, 1571. His parents were professional land-owners. Caravaggio was named after his mother’s hometown Caravaggio. He was the eldest of the four children. Four hundred years ago during the time of reformation in the time of Shakespeare. Caravaggio would stage scenes with lighting that was inspiring to many modern film directors.
Having lived with high superiority descriptions and movies, it was difficult for people to visualize the realism of his artwork. (www. caravaggio. com) Caravaggio work was rejected by the people because they couldn’t understand his work of art which continues to haunt us with conspiracy still to this very day. Until the late 19th century many biographers and art scholars deliberately ignored Caravaggio work. Some people felt as if his work was to natural or just ordinary. (Sayre, 2010) His work of art was characterized by displaying weakness or humankind.
Sometime people had a difficult time trying to figure out if his painting was religious or not. In fact the contrast in his paintings between light and dark tones was evident in the spiritual content and its representation in the painting. (Sayre, 2010) Caravaggio became ill on a beach in Port Ercole. Caravaggio passed away July 18, 1610 after battling with malaria which he fought to overcome. Rembrandt van Rijn: The Resurrection of Christ c. 1635-39 (Oil on Canvas) Description of Rembrandt Work of Art The Resurrection of Christ is from the Baroque period.
This work of art portrays the sense of dramatic antagonism that Caravaggio achieved by manipulating light across full range of tones, changing the intensity and transforming its radiance this was done so that every beam and shadow expressed a dissimilar emotional content. (Sayre, 2010) In Rembrandt painting he focused on using emotional contrast between light and dark tones to emphasize the emotional difference. Here you can see pure light radiating out of the tomb of darkness. Christ himself begins to rise from the tomb in the light of true symbolic knowledge. This explains the meaning of his psychological subjects. Sayre, 2010) About the Artist The bible was Rembrandt most important source of inspiration. Rembrandt followed the footsteps of Albrecht Durer and Lucas van Leyden famous illustrious predecessors. (Rembrandt, 1635) During the 1630’s was particularly a wealth time for the famous Dutch painter Rembrandt. He married the art dealer wealthy niece and had four children only one survived. The story behind the painting was revealed after his firstborn passed away. This is when “The Resurrection of Christ”, was painted. (Rembrandt, 1635) Rembrandt was known as a deeply religious and devoted family man.
Peter Paul Rubens: The Raising of the Cross c. 1609-10 (Oil on Panel) Description of Rubens Work of Art The Raising of the Cross describes Rubens awesome ability to stage his artwork and was immediately recognizable in Ruben’s Michelangelesque heroically strong and muscular bodies. (www. arthistory-famousartists-paintings. com). The men straining and anxiety is evident in this particular painting. Soldiers are showing tremendous power in their in their legs, arms, and back as they raised and carried Jesus up the hill, while nailed to the cross. You could see the dramatic tension that was rising with the closeness of the moment.
The high contrast lighting focuses noticeably on Jesus, also a characteristic propensity used by Caravaggio. Also Caravaggesque is the strong oblique artistic work of art. Studying the details from the painting in the bodies, clothes and trees is a mirror image of the Baroque style. About the Artist Rubens was the perfect example in history because of his ability to transition from High Renaissance, Classical art, to Baroque art. (www. arthistory-famousartists-paintings. com) Rubens and his family fled from Flanders to Germany to escape the Spanish religious protestant persecution.
When Ruben was about ten years old he decided to return to Flanders to become a devoted Catholic. Ruben discovered early in life that his passion was art. He attended the Antwerp Painter’s Guild. Most of his work was through commissioned to aristocratic collectors. He had a desire to learn as much as possible about the work of art. Ruben spent most of his time traveling all over Italy to gain the knowledge needed to be a successful artist. Ruben was different from most artists. Ruben passed away knowing he was well sought after and respected for his work of art. Ruben, 1609-10) Reference Sayre, H. (2010). A World of Art. (6th ed. ). Retrieved May 21, 2010 from Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Dan & Empty Easel. com. (2009). Peter Paul Rubens: Baroque Painter of the North. Retrieved May 21, 2010 from http://emptyeasel. com/2007/05/01/peter-paul-rubens-baroque-painter-of-the-north/ Hartt, F. (1975). “History of Italian Renaissance Art”, published by Prentice-Hall Inc. , Harry N. Abrams Inc. Retrieved May 21, 2010 from http://www. arthistory-famousartists-paintings. com/BaroqueArt. html
