3º ESO

Topic Nine:

The Baroque
Baroque Style
Baroque is an art style that developed in approximately the XVII and XVII
century. It is essentially characterized by irregularity and complexity.

This style emerged as an

aesthetic response to
religious, political and
economic circumstances of
this period of time.
In Catholic Europe, the church
looked for an art (architecture,
painting and sculpture) to serve
as propaganda and defense of
their religious principles. This is
why the resulting works are so
lavish, extravagant , fussy and
overelaborate.
On the other hand, the art
produced in the Protestant
countries did not have the nature
of indoctrination. The artworks
were commissioned by the new
bourgeoisie and reflected a
feeling more intimate and
everyday life, as seen, for
example, in the paintings of
Vermeer.
In any case, there are common
characteristics of Baroque:

• The movement and the curved shapes of the works of art.

• Light and color to create shapes
• Realism in the works, but seeking the emotion and surprise of the audience
• Interest in the theatrical, in the stage and in the symbolism.
Architecture
The main feature of the new style is the freedom with which architectural
elements are used. Therefore, the buildings are extravagant and overelaborate.
The plant of the buildings is usually circular or elliptical, and the façade played
with the architectural forms to create light effects and shadow effects.
We can mention two important baroque architects, whose works are in Rome.
Bernini (1598-1680) and Borromini (1599-1667)

Borromini, San Carlo alle quattro fontane

Bernini, Piazza San Pietro and colonnades

Spanish Baroque Painting
Despite the social and economic crisis in Spain in the seventeenth century, this
period can be considered as the Golden Age of Spanish painting. It is the time of
a very technical and realistic art.
Spanish painting has the
typical characteristics of
Baroque pictures: interest in
the play of light, use of warm
colors, and natural and
complex compositions.
Both the Catholic Church
(eager to fight Protestantism)
and the nobility, headed by
the monarch, are the
institutions that commission
masterpieces to the great
artists:
• Jose de Ribera shows a special interest in light
(Tenebrism) and color:

El martirio de San Felipe. Ribera, San Andres

• Francisco de Zurbaran evolved toward realism.
His Still Lifes are very well known.
Zurbaran, Still Life

• Carreño and Claudio Coello were specialists in

portraits.

Claudio Coello, Portrait of Carlos II

Special relevance must be given to the sevillian Esteban Bartolomé Murillo,
whose religious painting and children's issues must be underlined. His mastery
of painting technique is impressive.

Bartolome Esteban Murillo, The Young Beggar Immaculate Conception

Velazquez
However, the most important figure of Spanish baroque painting, and
perhaps of universal painting, was Diego Velazquez (1599-1660).
Velazquez was a court painter (he painted for Felipe IV: Las Meninas), painter
of historical subjects (La rendición de Breda) and painter of mythological
themes (La fragua de Vulcano, El triunfo de Baco, Las hilanderas)

Velazquez, El triunfo de Baco

Velazquez excelled
in the masterful use
of aerial
perspective, that is,
the optical
sensation of light
flowing between
objects and figures.

Velazquez, Las Meninas

Velazquez, La Rendición de Breda
Velazquez, Las Hilanderas