Baroque was a powerful style of art that developed as a response to Protestantism. This impressive art had a strong emotional appeal that directly involved the viewer.
Grandiose and exuberant works of art were encouraged because Church leaders at the Council of Trent had decided that the arts should communicate religious themes in response to the Protestant Reformation.
Chapter Review
1. Describe the historical events that led to the development of the Baroque style.
2. What were the main characteristics of the Baroque style?
3. Name the most important Italian painters of the 17th century.
4. Explain the terms ‘chiaroscuro’ and ‘tenebrism’.
5. Describe the compositional techniques in both The Supper at Emmaus and The Taking of Christ that the artist used to connect with the viewer and draw them into the action.
6. Artemisia Gentileschi’s painting Judith Beheading Holofernes shows two women killing a man. What art elements of the painting best convey violence and horror in the scene?
7. According to Bernini, St Peter’s Square symbolised the embracing welcome of ‘the mother Church of Christianity’. Make a drawing of how you think he visualised this design.
Go to YouTube and watch the video ‘Bernini, Ecstasy of Saint Teresa’ (7:32) by Smarthistory. Consider the theatrical devices used by Bernini to engage the viewer and describe how you might react if you were a visitor to the chapel.
Furer Research
www.youtube.com – In ‘Caravaggio’s The Supper at Emmaus’ (7:54) by OpenArtsArchive, Dr Emma Barker explores Caravaggio’s unusual and innovative approach to depicting a story from the Bible
www.khanacademy.org – Search for ‘Caravaggio, Calling of Saint Matthew and Inspiration of St. Matthew’ for a detailed look at the painting
www.youtube.com – In ‘Beyond Caravaggio at National Gallery’ (4:07), broadcaster Kate Bryan explores the phenomenon of Caravaggism
www.nationalgallery.ie – Search for ‘How did a masterpiece by Caravaggio end up in a Dublin dining room?’ for an article on the rediscovery of The Taking of Christ
stpetersbasilica.info – The official site of St Peter’s Basilica and Square in the Vatican
