Art and Music of the 17th and 18th centuries Start iTunes now. Pay attention, take notes, and LEARN!!

Baroque Music The Music is from Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto Bach was patronized by the Margrave of Brandenburg. Baroque music will reflect the major issues of the times. Scientific Revolution (logic and reason), Enlightenment, and Absolutism.

Characteristics of Baroque Music One mood throughout the piece Melody repeated over and over Harpsicord a popular instrument Music was a diversion in Aristocratic courts. Most of your patrons were nobility or royals. Major artists—Bach, Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Handel

Mannerism Artistic movement in the late 16th century Bridge between the Renaissance and Baroque Represented the religious turmoil of the times. Dark, elongated figures, emotional. Eccentric artists—Rosso lived with a baboon and dug up corpses.

El Greco The Greek –actually from Spain Elongated bodies—out of proportion. Busy—twisted bodies and lots of people in them. Suffering and emotion. Inner light—in most paintings—light from within. Resurrection, The Burial of Count Orgaz, Baptism of Christ

El Greco Burial of Count Orgaz Notice the elongated bodies. Notice—God’s judgment from on high (Cath. Church) Notice the reflective Monk Find St. Peter—holds the keys to heaven!!

Baptism of Christ El Greco Notice similar things from the previous picture.

El Greco The Resurrection of Christ More examples of Mannerism with the distinct characteristics.

Baroque Music Bach’s Organ Fugue in G The next musical piece you are hearing is Bach’s Organ Fugue in G Minor Four voices repeating the same melody. Logic, reason Same mood—a bit dark and overpowering.

Baroque Art Baroque Art was very unique to each nation so we will look at the characteristics of Baroque Art for the different countries In general Advanced techniques and grand scale of Renaissance with emotion and intensity of Mannerism. Ornate, passionate, powerful, flamboyant Art of Absolutism—showed power of state Emphasis on motion and drama

Italian Baroque Two key features of Italian Baroque Major artists It was to proclaim the power and confidence of Catholicism. Papacy and Jesuits encouraged the intensely emotional art to “touch souls and rekindle faith.” It used the same emotion and passion to show realism Major artists Artemisia Gentileschi Bernini Caravaggio

Gentileschi Judith Slaying Holosfernes

Bernini Ecstacy of St. Theresa

Bernini St. Peters Cathedral (architecture) The Piazza)

Bernini David Slaying Goliath (motion—compare to Michelangelo)

Caravaggio The Conversion of St. Paul (Emotion)

Flemish Baroque Refers to the Southern Netherlands (Flanders). Catholic area (modern day Belgium). Stayed with Spain after Dutch Independence. Energy, Pomp, colorful, flamboyant. Cheerful Chubby Cherubs Fat is beautiful—full bodied sensual nudes Peter Paul Rubens—Marie de Medici (2nd wife of Henry IV of France) popular subject

Rubens Marie Arrives at Marseilles

Handel For Unto us a Child is Born From Messiah The Messiah is a religious opera. It was written in 1741 Notice how this piece is similar to the Fugue—repeats the same melody and has the same mood throughout. The Hallelujah Chorus is the most famous piece from the Messiah

Dutch Baroque Very different from Flemish Baroque. Protestant, independent, democratic. Less religious (think Calvinism austerity here) and more daily life Patrons—wealthy middle class merchants. Motion and still life—capture a moment. LIGHT SOURCE. Spotlight or window Rembrandt, Vermeer

The Astronomer by Jan Vermeer Trade and banking were the main economic activities. Banking provided capital for commercial ventures.

The Milkmaid by Vermeer Still life became a popular genre in Dutch Baroque style. Regents, merchants, and the Orange family were major patrons.

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer Threats from France, Spain, storms, and others tended to bring the Dutch together. They prided themselves on the development of a unique Dutch culture.

Vivaldi Spring (The Four Seasons) Vivaldi is a popular Baroque composer. This work was a favorite of Louis XV of France. It is a part of the Four Seasons Concerto for Violin. Notice it goes fast, slow, fast. Once again it repeats melody and has a simple mood. Also—notice the connection with Nature (Natural Laws)

The Night Watch by Rembrandt Wars drained Dutch resources. Often they resorted to breaking dams/dikes to stave off invasion from the French. The Orange family line died out (after becoming the monarchs in England). Commercial ventures lost money and social mobility declined.

Rembrandt Self Portraits (light source)

English Baroque Remember the upheaval of the 17th century (English Civil War, Cromwell’s puritanical reign, Glorious Revolution) London fire of 1666—13,000 houses and 87 churches destroyed. Literary creativity—Shakespeare Hogarth—social critic Wren—architect of London

Hogarth, Marriage a la Mode Ridiculed the nouveau riche (rising middle class)

Hogarth Gin Lane and Beer Street

Hogarth Rake’s Progress—seamy side of life The Rake sits in debtor’s prison

Christopher Wren Architect St. Paul’s Cathedral

Spanish Baroque Spain spent lots of money—especially the Royal family. High inflation. Spain goes into economic depression Heavy emphasis on the Spanish Royal Family. Less pompous than the Flemish style and more realistic. Diego Velazquez

Las Meninas Velasquez 1656

Velazques The Infanta Margarita (Louvre exhibit)

Monteverdi You are Dead from Orpheus Orpheus is an opera. Orpheus comes from Greek myth—the gifted musician. His joy is shattered when his bride is killed by a poisonous snake. This is when Orpheus realizes she is dead. Mood, emotion, passion should be evident.

French Baroque POWER OF THE KING France had replaced Italy as the artistic center of Europe. Baroque became a bit too showy so they moved quickly to French Classicism. Humanistic themes—landscapes, antiquity. Versailles—best architectural example

Poussin—favorite artist of Louis XIII and Louis XIV. French Classicism.

Poussin Rape of the Sabine Women

Versailles

Versailles