Baroque period examples

Rich in deep colour and intense contrast of shadows, 17th century Baroque word-paintings tended to show the most dramatic and culminating moments of a scene, whose simpleness and clarity was supposed to appeal to the viewers senses rather than mind. Caravaggios The Taking of the Nazarene (1602) represents Judas treacherous kiss and the capture of Jesus Christ by soldiers. A contrast between defenseless Christs humbleness and the guards formidable armour and determination is intensified by the use of light and Cimmerian shadows, known as chiaroscuro and typical of Baroque painting.The scenes emotional intensity is tryd by the horrified expression of St Mark fleeing out of the painting (Lubbock, 2007). Both Rubens Deposition (Lilles version) and Rembrandts The Descent from the corrupt (1633) represent Jesus dead body, the central figure, being lowered from the cross and surrounded by His lamenting followers. A similar contrast between light and dark, although to a different exte nt, is used to intensify the dramatic moment (Jones, 2004 Lussier).Caravaggio, Rubens, and Rembrandt produced their masterpieces at a conviction when the Roman Catholic Church was fighting against the spreading Protestant Reformation in Europe. Trying to strengthen its position and authority, the Church encouraged painting representing spiritual scenes which, along with preaching, could help inspire devotion and promote its official doctrine. Although various biblical scenes pro conductrated in art at that time, most artists also introduced their own features to the upstart artistic style.Caravaggio used models when depicting Christ and other biblical figures often introducing dirty reality in his works (Lubbock, 2007). Rubens was preoccupied in his paintings with the description of life as it was realistically depicting flesh of both living and dead naked human beings. The subject of death is one of his favourite themes (Jones, 2004). Rembrandt was interested in capturing the p sychological aspect of human actions and expressions and showing it in his paintings. His subjects ar dynamic and his works fill the viewer with sadness and compassion (Lussier).All three works of art helped promote the ideals taught by the Roman Catholic Church and enhance the authority of biblical figures. Caravaggios Christ does non resist His fate, and by showing humility and faith He emphasizes the importance of spiritual strength rather than physical fight and encourages His followers to do the same (Caravaggios The Taking of Christ). Rembrandts figures are dressed in contemporary clothes emphasizing that the Saviours death has been the central event of human existence at all ages.The trounce dead body of Christ is realistic and not different from an ordinary human being arousing compassion and inspiring devotion (Lussier). A realistic motion-picture show of Christs dead body by Rubens is similarly compulsive, and the sorrowful faces and desperate gestures of the surroundi ng women are supposed to fill the viewers with compassion and grade them bow their heads in worship (Campbell, 2004). These masterpieces are simple in terms of subject matter, produce immediate emotional impact on viewers, and make them emotionally participate in the sacred scenes.All three paintings represent scenes from Jesus Christs life and death. The composition in Rubens Deposition and Rembrandts The Descent from the Cross gives us the impression of a movement from the upper part of the paintings to their lower part, as if to enhance the idea of the Saviours death and His descent into the tomb. In Caravaggios The Taking of Christ the figures are moving from right to left as though through Jesus who is not moving. Caravaggios composition seems to emphasize the spiritual difference which exists between Him and the rest of us.The way the figures are represented in all three works is also different to some extent. Caravaggio did not depict the whole bodies of his figures, but onl y parts of them, the rest of the space being filled with fragments of clothes, armour, and dark shadows (Lubbock, 2007). Rembrandt and Rubens realistically and with great detail depict Christs dead body and those of other figures. Rubens also depicts the ideal human bodies of the men lowering Christ in the same way classical painters did (Lussier).References Campbell, P. (2004, April 1). In Lille. Retrieved January 30, 2009 from the World ample Web http//www. lrb. co. uk/v26/n07/print/camp01_. html Caravaggios The Taking of Christ. Retrieved January 30, 2009 from the World Wide Web http//www. nga. gov/exhibitions/caravbr-2. htm Jones, J. (2004, April 3). Flesh of Genius. The Guardian on the Web. Retrieved January 30, 2009 from the World Wide Web http//www. guardian. co. uk/artanddesign/2004/apr/03/art Lubbock, T.(2007, April 6). Caravaggio The Taking of Christ (1602-3). The Independent on the Web. Retrieved January 30, 2009 from the World Wide Web http//www. independent. co. uk/art s-entertainment/art/great-works/caravaggio-the-taking-of-christ-16023-744398. html Lussier, L. The Descent from the Cross Two Paintings at a time assumed to be painted by Rembrandt. Retrieved January 30, 2009 from the World Wide Web http//www. geocities. com/Hollywood/Bungalow/2201/cross/rembrandt. html