Baroque and Rococo notes.pdf - DMHScommunity

The Baroque (c. 1600-1750)
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:
1. 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. As part of the program, the Catholic Church used art of the magnificent display for the campaign.
It was intended to be both doctrinally correct and visually and emotionally appealing so that it could influence
the largest possible audience. But as the century progressed the style made inroads into the Protestant
countries. Main representatives of this form of Baroque were Bernini and Rubens.
2. Baroque that use revolutionary technique of dramatic, selective illumination of figures out of deep shadow
- a hallmark of Baroque painting. Contrary to the traditional idealized interpretation of religious subjects,
Baroque realistically presents models from the streets. Caravaggio is key painter of this form of Baroque.
3. Baroque that was developed mainly in Flemish countries emphasis realism of everyday life. It has been
seen in works of Rembrandt and Vermeer.
At the same time, scientific advances and exploration with the development of the press, forced Europeans
to change the view of the world. New knowledge in astronomy was of great importance. In the eighteen century
scientific literature became so plenteous, that the period has gotten the name “Age of Enlightenment”.
The new Baroque style is a dynamic art that reflects the growth of absolutist monarchies and is suitable to
manifest power. It is also known as "the style of absolutism". Baroque is a style in which painters, sculptors,
and architects rummaged emotion, movement, and variety in their works. Baroque favors higher volumes,
exaggerates decorations, adds colossal sculptures, huge furniture, etc. Sense of movement, energy, and
tension dominate compositions. Strong contrasts of light and shadow often enhance the dramatic effects. In
architecture, there was a special attention given to animation and grandeur achieved through scale, the
dramatic use of light and shadow.

The Rococo (c. 1700 - 1760)
"Rococo" describes a movement in the arts in the early 18th century, primarily in France. Rococo has been
born from the Baroque era, during the Age of Enlightenment. That was a time when new ideas about human
existence were introduced and Rococo art is the visual representation of the optimism people felt in response
to that.
The word "rococo" is derived from "rocaille", meaning "rock work" or "shell work," a favorite motif of the time.
It stresses purely ornamental, light, casual, irregular design.
Rococo is seen both as the climax and fall of Baroque art. After the heavy works created in the Baroque
style, artists were ready for a change. The Rococo manner was a reaction against the” grand manner" of art
identified with the baroque formality and rigidity of court life. The movement toward a lighter, more charming
manner began in French architectural decoration at the end of Louis XIV's reign (d.1715) and quickly spread
across Europe. During the regency of Duke of Orleans, regent for the minor heir Louis XV, the formalities of
the court gave way to a more casual and intimate atmosphere. Rococo art portrayed a world of artificiality,
make-believe, and game-playing. Although less formal, it was essentially an art of the aristocracy and
emphasized what seems now to have been the unreflective and indulgent lifestyles of the aristocracy rather
than piety, morality, self-discipline, reason, and heroism, which were found in the baroque.
The Rococo style is characterized by pastel colors, gracefully delicate curving forms, fanciful figures, and a
lighthearted mood (visually and physically). The essence of Rococo art is light. Extreme highlights are placed
on the subject matter and the overall work is light in color, effect, and emotion. Artists paid special attention to
fine detail. Form is characterized by delicacy of color, dynamic compositions, and atmospheric effects.
Antoine Watteau is considered to be one of the first Rococo painters. Others include Jean-Honore
Fragonard, Francois Boucher, Thomas Gainsborough, and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.
Eventually the Rococo art was replaced by the more serious style, Neoclassicism. Critics condemned rococo
as "tasteless, frivolous, and symbolic of a corrupt society".