Influence of Baroque Era Paintings on Hendrik Kerstens’ Photography (Research Paper Sample)

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Influence of Baroque Era Paintings on Hendrik Kerstens’ Photography
The strong relationship between painting and photography has seen modern photographers basing their artwork on art styles of past eras. A modern photographer whose works is reminiscent of the 17th-century Baroque era paintings is Hendrik Kerstens. The photographer is famed for the depiction of his daughter’s portrait images while incorporating various elements that were associated with the aforementioned era. While creating unique photographic images, Kerstens has perfected the art of incorporating not only visual but also thematic elements employed by painters of the baroque era movement. Kerstens’ works closely resemble the paintings of Dutch baroque era painters such as Johanness Vermeer because of the similarity in composition and use of lighting. In addition to the use of allegory and lighting elements, the influence of Baroque-era paintings on Kerstens’ photography can be extended to the portrayal of highly ornate and realistic images.
The first major Baroque era element that is present in Kerstens’ photography is the use of allegory that is tied to expressing strong emotional content. Judging from the paintings of the Baroque era, it would be justifiable to argue that art works of the era were associated with strong messages that the artist intended to pass across (Farago et al. 46).