Baroque Art: Bernini and Caravaggio (Research Paper Sample)

Baroque art: Bernini and Caravaggio
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Baroque art was a new art movement in Europe that evolved between 1600 and 1750. It was a distinguished art because of its movement and dynamism, and theoretically dependent on the mastery of geometry and space. The illusionism of baroque art is based on the capability to depict reality. All baroque art are varied outwardly but were the products of technical realizations of the renaissance. The term evolved in the mid-18th century when John Joachim used it to describe excessive art of the previous period (Rabb, 2000). The word “baroque” originated from the Portuguese term “barroco” implying pearl of unequal size. The term means ugliness and imbalance expression of art that is different from perfection and ideal beauty desired by Winckelmann through imitating the ancient Greek art. It was later 19th century when the works of prominent German art historians enabled baroque to loss its pejorative connotations and therefore was regarded as an art which was distinct and important from the renaissance art. The work which distinguishes the baroque era is based on stylistically complex and variation arts. Baroque art evokes emotional states by giving appeal to the senses, creating dramatic expressions movement, vitality, grandeur, tension, blur distinctions, and sensuous richness in various arts. According to Patrick (2007), Catholic counter-reformation efforts against Protestantism influenced the development of the baroque art. Catholic Church used baroque art to react to mannerism and social turmoil of the period. Catholic Church and the council of Trent emphasized on artworks that clearly interpret realistic subjects. This was the reason the artwork focused on naturalism and became emotionally intense and engaging, which led to the emergence of baroque art.
Bernini and Caravaggio were baroque artists who were respected because of their ingenuity. Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) remained dominant in the roman art during the 17th century. He received commissions from popes and cardinals, which helped to flourish his artwork. He contributed a significant role in developing the eloquent and dramatic artwork of the baroque style. He obtained his first commission to design art for the papal family when he was eleven. His work showed a great difference from that of renaissance predecessors. When his artwork was compared with that of David Michelangelo, the difference between the baroque period and renaissance era were clearly evident. Bernini’s art expressed dramatic moment that conveyed the event and created a theatrical and dynamic work that occupies space (Bohn and Saslow, 2013). Bernini is well known of his masterpiece “the ecstasy of Saint Teresa” as a product of catholic Counter-Reformation agenda. He created the theatrical masterpiece depicting saint Teresa, who was one of the dedicated saints of the Counter-Reformation.
The same emphasis on the dynamism, action, theatre, and moment is seen in the artworks of Caravaggio. Michelangelo Merisi Caravaggio (1571-1610) was born in Italy. He received a short apprenticeship in Milan and then went to Rome where he worked as an assistant painter. Soon after, he started selling his paintings. Graham (2000) explains that cardinal Francesco Del Monte desired Caravaggio’s art and commissioned him to do painting for the church Of San Luigi. Caravaggio’s realistic naturalism appeared at the Contarelli chapel where he designed the life of Saint Mathew. His artworks caused public protest due to their dramatic and realistic nature. However, his reputation increased due to such violent criticism. It was unfortunate that Caravaggio faced many problems with the law. He was jailed for many assaults and for murdering a colleague after a disputed match in a game of court tennis. He fled and hid in distant places away from the city. He arrived in Naples and painted for some time waiting for the pope to pardon him. He was a baroque artist who painted several masterpieces for the Catholic Church for Counter-Reformation efforts. He is famously known of his masterpiece of “the crucifixion of saint peter.”
Bernini designed “the ecstasy of Saint Teresa” above the altar of the Cornaro Chapel in Rome. Egginton (2010) presents that the artwork depicts how Saint Teresa received spiritual rapture after an angle who carried a spear pierced her heart severally. The pain was much severe that made her utter several moans. The intense pain caused sweetness that she never wished to stop. The sculpture shows an angle carrying an arrow. The angle has lithe figure and delicate touch that gives him source of grace. Teresa has collapsed with her eyes are closed, and her head is thrown back. She is overcome by God’s fulfillment of love. Her physical body appears to have dematerialized in the weighty drapery of her robe. The twisting fabric folds energize the bronze rays appear to pour down divine rays. The angle and saint Teresa are made of heavy marble though they seem to float weightlessly. The art is a composition of architecture, painting and sculpture.
Caravaggio designed the ...