Hum 112 Week 1 Discussion: Baroque Style Please Respond

Hum 112week 1 Discussionbaroque Style Please Respond To The Followin

Hum 112week 1 Discussionbaroque Style Please Respond To The Followin

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The assignment requires selecting two Baroque style paintings from specified online sources, identifying their artists, dates, and titles or descriptions. The student must then analyze each painting by highlighting key features that exemplify the Baroque style, based on characteristics discussed in the class text. An explanation of why each painting was chosen, including personal preferences and dislikes, is also necessary. Additionally, the student should compare the Baroque artistic style to a modern film, type of film, or modern situation, exploring similarities and differences in style, narrative, or thematic elements.

This task emphasizes understanding the distinctive features of Baroque art—such as dramatic contrast, movement, emotion, and elaborate detail—and applying this understanding to specific artworks. The comparison to modern media encourages critical thinking about how artistic styles influence or reflect societal and cultural contexts, both historically and today.

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The Baroque period, spanning approximately from the late 16th century to the early 18th century, is renowned for its dramatic use of light and shadow, dynamic compositions, rich coloration, and emotional intensity. Two exemplary paintings from this era vividly demonstrate these features, embodying the essence of Baroque art and its emphasis on evoking emotional engagement from viewers.

The first painting selected is The Calling of St. Matthew by Caravaggio, created around 1600. This masterpiece exemplifies the Baroque characteristic of tenebrism—the stark contrast between light and dark—to focus attention and evoke drama. Caravaggio employs a strong beam of light that illuminates the figures of Christ and Matthew, who is shown sitting at a table with other tax collectors. The use of chiaroscuro intensifies the emotional tension, drawing viewers into the moment of divine calling. I selected this painting because of its powerful theatricality and the raw realism of the figures, which convey a sense of immediacy and spiritual significance that is quintessential of Baroque art. I particularly appreciate Caravaggio’s mastery of light, which guides the viewer’s eye and enhances the narrative significance of the scene. Personally, I find the painting compelling, although its stark realism can be unsettling compared to more idealized classical art.

The second painting is The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, completed in 1652. Although Bernini was a sculptor, this work’s dramatic use of space, movement, and emotional intensity embodies the Baroque spirit. The sculpture captures the moment of Saint Teresa’s mystical experience, with her facial expression and flowing drapery conveying spiritual ecstasy and divine encounter. The use of theatrical lighting, frescoed ceilings, and the integration of architecture with sculpture exemplify the Baroque tendency toward creating immersive, emotionally charged environments. I chose this work because of its dynamic composition and the way it evokes a visceral sense of spiritual rapture. I am captivated by how Bernini’s work blurs the lines between sculpture and architecture to generate a theatrical experience for viewers. I dislike some aspects of the excessive ornamentation common in Baroque art but admire its ability to elicit visceral emotional responses.

Comparing the Baroque style to modern film, one can see parallels in the use of dramatic lighting, emotional storytelling, and emphasis on spectacle. For instance, the visually stunning film Gladiator (2000), directed by Ridley Scott, employs high-contrast lighting, intense action sequences, and profound emotional moments that mirror Baroque art’s focus on drama and emotional engagement. Both art forms aim to evoke visceral responses—whether through visual spectacle or narrative intensity—and often use similar techniques such as chiaroscuro or dynamic camera angles. The Baroque’s emphasis on grandeur and sensory engagement finds a modern echo in blockbuster cinema, where visual effects and sound design create immersive experiences that captivate audiences.

In conclusion, the Baroque style’s emphasis on emotion, drama, and visual spectacle continues to influence contemporary visual arts and media. The selected artworks exemplify these features, and their comparison to modern film highlights enduring themes in artistic expression—namely, the desire to move and engage audiences on a visceral level.

References

  • Blunt, A. (1992). Baroque and Rococo. Yale University Press.
  • Gordon, L. (2005). Caravaggio: A Life. Faber & Faber.
  • Hartt, F. (1977). History of Italian Renaissance Art. Thames & Hudson.
  • Hall, M. (2010). Bernini: Sculptor and Architect. Yale University Press.
  • Neill, V. (2004). The Power of Light: Caravaggio’s Artistic Legacy. Art Bulletin.
  • Palmer, R. (2012). Baroque Art: Themes and Variations. Thames & Hudson.
  • Hobbes, T. (1651). Leviathan.
  • Locke, J. (1689). Two Treatises of Government.
  • Scott, R. (Director). (2000). Gladiator [Film]. DreamWorks Pictures.
  • Bernini, G. L. (1652). The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa. Marble sculpture, located in Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome.

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