Jeanette Merritt, age 16, of Biloxi, Miss., for her question
WHAT IS BAROQUE ART?
Baroque art is the extravangantly ornamented art that was produced in Europe and certain European colonies in the Americas in the 17th Century. A number of the characteristics of baroque art continued through the first half of the 18th century, although this period is generally termed "rococo."
Manifestations of baroque art appear in virtually every country in Europe, with other important centers located in the Spanish and Portuguese New World. The term "baroque" also defines periods in architecture, literature and music.
The 17th Century could be called the first modern age. Human awareness of the world was continuously expanding. Many scientific discoveries influence art.
Religion determined many aspects of baroque art. The Roman Catholic church was a highly influential patron and its counter Reformation, a movement to combat the spread of Protestantism, employed emotional, realistic and dramatic art as a means of propagating the faith.
Political situations also influenced art. The absolute monarchies of France and Spain prompted the creation of works that reflected in their size and splendor the majesty of their kings, Louis XIV and Philip IV.
Among the general characteristics of baroque art are a sense of movement, energy and tension. Strong contrasts of light and shadow enhance the dramatic effects of many paintings and sculptures.
Realism is another integral feature of baroque art: the figures in paintings are not types but individuals with their own personalities. Artists of this period were concerned with the inner workings of the mind and attempted to portray the passions of the soul on the faces they painted and sculpted.
The roots of baroque styles are found in the art of late 16th century Italy.
In 1627 Giovanni Lanfranco painted the enormous dome of the church of Sant Andrea Della Valle in Rome with his "Assumption of the Virgin." Although this fresco was inspired by Correggio's Renaissance celings in Parma, it virtually overwhelmed contemporary spectators with its exuberant illusionistic effects and become one of the first high baroque masterpieces.
In Spain, the early appearance of a naturalistic baroque style of art was due to an influence from Italy. Spain's greatest baroque painter was Diego de Velazquez. At age 23 he moved to Madrid to serve as portraitist to Philip IV, a post he retained throughout his life.
The baroque spread rapidly to the countries of northern Europe from Italy, where most of the major masters went to study the manifestations of the new style.
The Flemish baroque is dominated by the brilliance of Peter Paul Rubens.
Dutch artist Frans Hals produced portraits that are remarkable for their deft brushwork, informality and naturalness.
The single most important French architectural monument is the Palace of Versailles, created for Louis XIV and begun in 1669 by Louis La Vau.