Baroque Sculpture: Truth Unveiled By Time
The term ‘Baroque’ is used to describe the period of artistic style that began around 1600 in Rome and spread to most of Europe by the 1750s. It uses exaggerated motion, vivid, simple and easily interpreted detail to produce drama, exuberance, tension, and grandeur. It is evident in sculpture, painting, architecture, literature, dance, theatre and music (Wikipedia 2017).
There are many great examples of sculptures from the Baroque period. When I first saw the sculpture, Truth Unveiled by Time by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who is “undoubtedly the most important sculptor of the Baroque period” (Wikipedia 2017), I was amazed by the dramatic effect it had. Although it was a static statue, a sense of movement could be detected …show more content…
just by looking at it. A strong and powerful emotion is conveyed from the woman’s gesture. It gave me the impression the woman is in despair and is vulnerable. The arm gesture gave me this impression. This sculpture left me with a stunning impression as its dramatic effects were so full of emotion and tension.
Another example of sculpture from the baroque period that particularly interests me is the Statue of San Stanislao Kostka on his death bed by Pierre Le Gros. The statue captures Stanislaus Kostka on His Deathbed. The entire body of the statue gave a sense of free movement due to the undulating lines present. Although the statue captures Stanislaus Kostka dead on his bed, the undulating lines created a sense of motion were in contrast with the static body gave a very cinematic and solemn effect. It almost gave motion to the lining of the bed which in contract with the non-moving body, suggested to me peace was broken by this movement. It really allowed wild imagination to happen in my head while I regarded the sculpture.
In addition to sculptures, paintings are also a major part of the baroque period. “Baroque painting encompasses a great range of styles. Baroque art is characterized by great drama, rich, deep color, and intense light and dark shadows” (Wikipedia 2017). The Fall of Phaeton is a painting by the Peter Paul Rubens in 1604. The scene that the painting captures is full of chaos and exuberance. The piercing light through the clouds lightened up what seems like a forensic battlefield. This example of painting successfully captures the essence of the baroque period. The use of color is dramatic. It helps to create and give a startling effect on the viewer.
Another piece of art by Peter Paul Rubens, The Four Continents was created in 1615 (Art of Manliness 2010). This is another great example of baroque painting as it shows an impactful and magnificent scene. The painting is full of vibrant colors and is filled with energy. There is an obvious contrast between light and shadow. It also is very masculine and filled with power - with men surrounded by women, children looking up to them and tiger lying beneath their feet. The masculinity and symbols of power and passion are important features of the baroque art style.
In relation to baroque architecture, it is most evident from church buildings as the baroque style was widely used to express triumph of the catholic church all over Europe.
It was characterized by new explorations of form, light and shadow, and dramatic intensity (Wikipedia 2017). Baroque architecture was heavily influenced by religion and many examples we see are churches or royal palaces. Take the Church of the Gesù for example. During the baroque period, the design of the exterior façade is regarded as important. The Church of the Gesù’s facade is "the first truly baroque façade", introducing the baroque style into architecture (Wikipedia 2017). The exterior of the building combines linear and undulating lines together, giving the building a sense of motion within its rigidity. The building has a sense of gravity to it. It also gives me the impression that it is carefully built to give a strong sense of formality. The repeating linear lines and the use of rational form gave the building its …show more content…
‘squareness’. Another remarkable example of baroque architecture is the Trevi Fountain.
Trevi Fountain is a fountain found in the Trevi district in Rome, Italy. It is designed by an Italian architect named Nicola Salvi and was completed by Pietro Bracci. Standing 26.3 meters high and 49.15 meters wide. The Trevi fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in the city of Rome and is probably one of the most famously known fountains in the world. (Wikipedia 2017). It is a fantastic work of art. “This triumphant example of Baroque art with its soft, natural lines and fantasy creatures embodies movement as the soul of the world” (Italy guides 2017). It conveys dynamic moment and the energy of human forms. It has an extravagant feel to it which always amazes
me. In contrast to the use of light and shadow in the two previous examples shown, baroque architecture also shows an unrestrained use of the color gold. The image shows the courtyard of the palace of Versailles. Many palaces we see in today’s world are built in the baroque style. It can be easily identified using gold colour, complicated shapes and large elliptical forms with curving lines. Gold also played a major part in ornamentation, as many objects are often gilded with gold. Overall, these elements of art all add to give a luxurious and extravagant look.
An example of baroque architecture that combines all the elements above is Les Invalides, commonly known as Hôtel des Invalides. “Les Invalides is one of the greatest masterpieces of French Baroque architecture. Most of the complex was built by French architect Liberal Bruant (1635-1697)” (Historylist 2012). It combines the use of light and shadow with the use of color gold. It also has a high curved dome on top of the building which blends into the main body of the building. The repetitious use of pillars made the building pop-out- giving it a 3-dimensional feel and a strong sense of space. All that combined with the use of color and irregular forms, gives the building an extravagant look. The design of the building has transcended time as it still appeals to the people in today’s world. It would still be considered as extraordinary and magnificent.
To conclude, the baroque period has many defining characteristics ranging from pursuing undulating lines, irregular forms, dynamic movement and the expression of power and extravagance using colour, light and shadows. Sculptures of the baroque period are finely crafted to have a strong effect of drama and tension. It also conveys motion in a static object which is very interesting and pleasing to view. In relation to the painting, contrast of colors and light and shadow is used to create cinematic effect. Paintings often recreate tension and drama, sometimes almost chaotic scenes. Paintings are very masculine, full of power and arrogance. As for baroque architecture, it is widely used to express triumph of the catholic church. The exterior façade is always built with extra attention. They can be identified using gold colour, complicated shapes and large elliptical forms with curving lines. The use of the gold color adds to the overall extravagance of the building. This is especially evident in royal palaces that remain today. Personally, the baroque period is my favorite period in history. The design of buildings and all architectures just simply appeal to me.
There are many great examples of sculptures from the Baroque period. When I first saw the sculpture, Truth Unveiled by Time by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who is “undoubtedly the most important sculptor of the Baroque period” (Wikipedia 2017), I was amazed by the dramatic effect it had. Although it was a static statue, a sense of movement could be detected …show more content…
just by looking at it. A strong and powerful emotion is conveyed from the woman’s gesture. It gave me the impression the woman is in despair and is vulnerable. The arm gesture gave me this impression. This sculpture left me with a stunning impression as its dramatic effects were so full of emotion and tension.
Another example of sculpture from the baroque period that particularly interests me is the Statue of San Stanislao Kostka on his death bed by Pierre Le Gros. The statue captures Stanislaus Kostka on His Deathbed. The entire body of the statue gave a sense of free movement due to the undulating lines present. Although the statue captures Stanislaus Kostka dead on his bed, the undulating lines created a sense of motion were in contrast with the static body gave a very cinematic and solemn effect. It almost gave motion to the lining of the bed which in contract with the non-moving body, suggested to me peace was broken by this movement. It really allowed wild imagination to happen in my head while I regarded the sculpture.
In addition to sculptures, paintings are also a major part of the baroque period. “Baroque painting encompasses a great range of styles. Baroque art is characterized by great drama, rich, deep color, and intense light and dark shadows” (Wikipedia 2017). The Fall of Phaeton is a painting by the Peter Paul Rubens in 1604. The scene that the painting captures is full of chaos and exuberance. The piercing light through the clouds lightened up what seems like a forensic battlefield. This example of painting successfully captures the essence of the baroque period. The use of color is dramatic. It helps to create and give a startling effect on the viewer.
Another piece of art by Peter Paul Rubens, The Four Continents was created in 1615 (Art of Manliness 2010). This is another great example of baroque painting as it shows an impactful and magnificent scene. The painting is full of vibrant colors and is filled with energy. There is an obvious contrast between light and shadow. It also is very masculine and filled with power - with men surrounded by women, children looking up to them and tiger lying beneath their feet. The masculinity and symbols of power and passion are important features of the baroque art style.
In relation to baroque architecture, it is most evident from church buildings as the baroque style was widely used to express triumph of the catholic church all over Europe.
It was characterized by new explorations of form, light and shadow, and dramatic intensity (Wikipedia 2017). Baroque architecture was heavily influenced by religion and many examples we see are churches or royal palaces. Take the Church of the Gesù for example. During the baroque period, the design of the exterior façade is regarded as important. The Church of the Gesù’s facade is "the first truly baroque façade", introducing the baroque style into architecture (Wikipedia 2017). The exterior of the building combines linear and undulating lines together, giving the building a sense of motion within its rigidity. The building has a sense of gravity to it. It also gives me the impression that it is carefully built to give a strong sense of formality. The repeating linear lines and the use of rational form gave the building its …show more content…
‘squareness’. Another remarkable example of baroque architecture is the Trevi Fountain.
Trevi Fountain is a fountain found in the Trevi district in Rome, Italy. It is designed by an Italian architect named Nicola Salvi and was completed by Pietro Bracci. Standing 26.3 meters high and 49.15 meters wide. The Trevi fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in the city of Rome and is probably one of the most famously known fountains in the world. (Wikipedia 2017). It is a fantastic work of art. “This triumphant example of Baroque art with its soft, natural lines and fantasy creatures embodies movement as the soul of the world” (Italy guides 2017). It conveys dynamic moment and the energy of human forms. It has an extravagant feel to it which always amazes
me. In contrast to the use of light and shadow in the two previous examples shown, baroque architecture also shows an unrestrained use of the color gold. The image shows the courtyard of the palace of Versailles. Many palaces we see in today’s world are built in the baroque style. It can be easily identified using gold colour, complicated shapes and large elliptical forms with curving lines. Gold also played a major part in ornamentation, as many objects are often gilded with gold. Overall, these elements of art all add to give a luxurious and extravagant look.
An example of baroque architecture that combines all the elements above is Les Invalides, commonly known as Hôtel des Invalides. “Les Invalides is one of the greatest masterpieces of French Baroque architecture. Most of the complex was built by French architect Liberal Bruant (1635-1697)” (Historylist 2012). It combines the use of light and shadow with the use of color gold. It also has a high curved dome on top of the building which blends into the main body of the building. The repetitious use of pillars made the building pop-out- giving it a 3-dimensional feel and a strong sense of space. All that combined with the use of color and irregular forms, gives the building an extravagant look. The design of the building has transcended time as it still appeals to the people in today’s world. It would still be considered as extraordinary and magnificent.
To conclude, the baroque period has many defining characteristics ranging from pursuing undulating lines, irregular forms, dynamic movement and the expression of power and extravagance using colour, light and shadows. Sculptures of the baroque period are finely crafted to have a strong effect of drama and tension. It also conveys motion in a static object which is very interesting and pleasing to view. In relation to the painting, contrast of colors and light and shadow is used to create cinematic effect. Paintings often recreate tension and drama, sometimes almost chaotic scenes. Paintings are very masculine, full of power and arrogance. As for baroque architecture, it is widely used to express triumph of the catholic church. The exterior façade is always built with extra attention. They can be identified using gold colour, complicated shapes and large elliptical forms with curving lines. The use of the gold color adds to the overall extravagance of the building. This is especially evident in royal palaces that remain today. Personally, the baroque period is my favorite period in history. The design of buildings and all architectures just simply appeal to me.