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Loves of the Gods
Carracci painted the celing frescoes of Cardinal Odoardo Farnese who commissioned this painting for the sake of celebrating his brother's wedding. In this work he made easels of paintings on the ceiling which was then called quadro riporato. He painted many of the figures nude, having been influenced by Michelangelo's works. He made quadro riportato in style for a long time.
Source: Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Global History, 13e -
Judith Slaying Holofernes
This oil on canvas of the biblical scene was by Artemisia Gentileschi, a woman painter who was influenced by the natural and dramatic style of Caravaggio. Some aspects of Caravaggio are clearly shown in this painting: the tenebrism, the drama in the foreground, and the hieghtened drama. She helped spread the style of Caravaggio.
Source: Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Global History, 13e -
Marie De' Medici Cycle
This oil on canvas by Rubens is a demonstration of his Baroque style which connected the Northern and Southern European Art. He was commissioned by Queen Marie de' Medici to paint a series that commemorated her career. He then created 21 huge and grand paintings that showed various important moments of the queen's life that are enriched by mythological references and sharp, rich colors. Source: Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Global History, 13e -
David
This marble statue by Bernini is a perfect example of a Baroque statue. He presents David in the moment where is about to throw the stone at Goliath. The Baroque part of the statue is inherent in the moment chosen. The moment provides much theatricality, drama, and motion that are attributes of Baroque art. The expression on David's face adds to the drama.
Source: Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Global History, 13e -
Self-Portrait
This oil on canvas by Leyster is a self portrait which shows many aspects of Leyster herself. She allows the viewers to assess her skill through both the painting of the fiddler and herself. She also is not in an artist's smock which shows her upper class origins. Furthermore she shows her confidence in her paintings through her painted smile.
Source: Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Global History, 13e -
Archers of Saint Hadrian
Group portraits became popular in the Dutch Republic and Frans Hal, who painted the Archers of Saint Hadrian, was one of the leading painters of this genre. Although most group portraits were regimented and ordered images, Hals wanted to make the image more vivacious. And so each archer is in a different position with different movements and different emotions. Yet each man is equally perceivable in his expression and personality.
Source: Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Global History, 13e -
San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane
This church was designed by Francesco Borromini. He showed his innovative Baroque style in his undalating facade which deviated largely from the flat facades of the past. He emphasized this effect with deep niches. Furthermore, the overall design is new: a hybrid of the greek cross and an oval with a long axis. The dome has hexagonal coffers that get smaller and smaller as they go up, thus creating a sense of upward motion. Source: Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Global History, 13e -
Christ with the Sick around Him, Receiving the Children
This etching by Rembrandt was also called the Hundred-Guilder Print because it was paid for at such high prices. This was the most famous of Rembrandt's etchings which he was renowned for. It shows Christ preaching and blessing the sick and the young. The tonal range allowed by the etching is huge.
Source: Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Global History, 13e -
Feast of Saint Nicholas
Jan Steen created this oil on canvas. He is the opposite of Vermeer in interior scene painting. Instead of serenity, chaos is Steen's goal. He portrays a scene where children are delighted and some are miserable because of their presents from Saint Nicholas. Steen uses the children to satirize his society.
Source: Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Global History, 13e -
Baldacchino
Bernini created this Baroque monument whose bronze was taken from the Pantheon. The play of dark and light is a significant attribute of Baroque architecture. The structure acts as the bridge between the ground and the ceiling and domes. It also marks the high altar and St. Peter's tomb. The Baldacchino represents the power of the Catholic Church and of Pope Urban VIII through its recall of the past and the elevated orb and cross.
Source: Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Global History, 13e -
The Letter
Jan Vermeer painted this oil canvas. Vermeer loved to paint interior scenes especially of women. In this case, he depicts an upper class woman playing a lute who is interrupted by a maid with a love letter. Vermeer used mirrors and the camera obscura to help him in his mastery of pictorial light which in turn allowed him to render space extremely effectively. Furthermore, his use of colors was ahead of his time.
Source: Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Global History, 13e
