Caravaggio, Calling of Saint Matthew, 1601.
caravaggio had short, violent life, refused to follow rules of renaissance, called "antichrist of painting". here, christ is cloaked in mysterious dark shadow, identifiable by halo, and summons st. matthew (previously levi the tax collector) to a higher c
Diego Velazquez, Water Carrier of Seville, 1619.
One of the most famous artists of his time, Velazquez painted a detailed scene of this humble water carrier. Velazquez renders the figure with clarity and dignity and uses lights/darks, only reason why he could do this shit is Caravaggio, who Velasquez st
Diego Velazquez, Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor), 1656.
Velazquez's greatest & most famous work, Las Meninas has long been the subject of debate. Although it is an "everyday" scene. it portrays great wealth. Setting is the artist's studio in the palace and he represents himself before a canvas. The Princess an
Peter Paul Rubens, Elevation of the Cross, 1610.
Rubens studied the classical masters in Italy before going home to Flanders, Belgium to be a part of the counter reformation movement there, painted scenes for churches. heroic composition, huge, at least life-size. Rubens has not forsaken the original ru
Peter Paul Rubens, Arrival of Marie de' Medici at Marseilles, 1625.
This is one of many panels Rubens did about the glorification of the Queen of France, Marie de' Medici. His interaction with royalty allowed him to fully understand the drama of the baroque style that appealed to the rich. The magnificence and splendor of
Peter Paul Rubens, Consequences of War, 1639.
An allegorical painting Rubens created about his opinion on the 30 years war. each figure is symbolic. Women are light while men are dark- contrast is traditional. fluidity of articulated forms, energy coming from piece shows Rubens's mature style. Mars t
Clara Peeters, Still Life with Flowers, Goblet, Dried Fruit, and Pretzels, 1611.
Some Flemish artists in 17th century specialized in still lives. Peeters won renown for her still lives- here she displays her skills. It's a breakfast piece that reveals her ability to depict objects convincingly such as the reflective surfaces and the s
Hendrick ter Brugghen, Calling of Saint Matthew, 1621.
Most patrons in Dutch republic preferred genre scenes, still lives and portraits, Brugghen also did religious scenes. Admirer of Caravaggio, he copied his naturalistic depiction and the moment of the narrative, but used his own contrasts and colorful pale
Gerrit van Honthorst, Supper Party, 1620.
Uses mundane tavern setting & dark lighting to be dramatic, frequently placed a hidden light source. group portrait, caravaggesque although there is far too much use of line , the fat man eating represents gluttony, the woman feeling him represents lust (
Frans Hals, Archers of St. Hadrian, 1633.
Represents each militia member satisfactorily yet retains action and variety in piece. each member of troop has ordered and distinctive depiction, one can choose whether to be stern, animated, basic etc. each individual has distinct physiognomy, builds of
Judith Leyster, Self Portrait, 1630.
One of Frans Hals's students, Leyster, was quite impressive herself. She developed a thriving career on her own as a portraitist, she was well trained in preciseness, detailed accuracy involved in the spontaneous nature of her master's works. She communic
Rembrandt van Rijn, Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp, 1632.
Rembrandt uses members of the surgeon's guild clustered on the cadaver's left side to show the lesson of Dr. Tulp dissecting the man. Corpse is placed diagonally and foreshortened. One, at top of Rembrandt's pyramid, gazes at viewer instead of at the Oper
Rembrandt van Rijn, The Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq (Night Watch), 1642.
Amplifies complexity of group portrait, not a nocturnal scene, however still a very dark painting bc of the varnish he used. Rembrandt uses light in a masterful way, and dramatic lighting helps the image. Dutch artists produced many civic-guard group port
Rembrandt van Rijn, Self Portrait, 1660.
Carried over spiritual quality to his portraits, light and dark are not in conflict, but rather merge softly and quietly. Artist depicts himself as strong, but also as anxious and concerned. his distinctive use of light and color are evident. Rembrandt pa
Jacob van Ruisdael, View of Haarlem from the Dunes at Overveen, 1670.
Depiction of dutch landscape with precision and sensitivity. Church in background and people stretching linen in foreground reflects the pride the painter had in recording his homeland accurately. Inhabitants and dwellings are important but they also blen
Jan Vermeer, Allegory of the Art of Painting, 1675.
Vermeer's stylistic precision and his commitment to his work are evident here, artist himself appears in painting w/ back to viewer and dressed in historical attire. Hard at work on a painting of a woman who holds trumpet and book, both references to Clio
Hyacinthe Rigaud, Louis XIV , 1701.
Conveys image of an absolute monarch, King is posed elegantly. Ermine robes hang to side, suggesting haughtiness. Louis draws back garment to show off his toned legs from doing ballet as a youth. Portrait's majesty derives in large part from the compositi
Jules Hardouin-Mansart & Charles LeBrun, Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors at Versailles palace), 1680.
Hundreds of mirrors to reflect gilded and jeweled furnishings extended space and add to grandeur. Made to enhance the extravagance of Louis's parties, but it is also the passageway from his apartment in the palace to the chapel, which meant people who wan
Nicolas Poussin, Et in Arcadia Ego, 1655.
Looks kindof like Rafael, Poussin was main proponent of classicism in 17th century, his paintings were all "grand manner'- meaning, subject matter was grand (like battles, heroism, divine things) and they are arranged and measured so that figures may look
Nicolas Poussin, Burial of Phocion, 1648.
Ordered and arranged almost mathematically, Poussin painted scenes from stuff that's been written. Saint John in foreground, decaying buildings suggest the decline of great empires to be replaced by Christianity in a new era. Background is painted with di
Francois de Cuvillies, Hall of Mirrors, early 18th century.
French Rococo style quickly spread beyond Paris, in the Amalienberg, German lodge, the French architect Francios de Cuvilles built the Hall of Mirrors with impressive architecture, stucco relief, mirrors and crystal. the hall dazzles and reflects a shit t
Antoine Watteau, Pilgrimage to Cythera, 1717.
Not a portrait, landscape, or mythological scene, but a new type of genre called "fete galante" (amorous festival) paintings. Depicts outdoor entertainment or amusements of French high society. It is not a battle scene, not religious, just nice and sensuo
Francois Boucher, Cupid a Captive, 1754.
Boucher defines the Rococo period, he loved painting Madame de Pompadour and he copied some of Watteau's works. Uses fun, happy colors of rococo, but also uses some baroque elements of drama. glazes of color fill in the outlines, lots of curvilinear forms
Jean-Honore Fragonard, The Swing, 1766.
Fragonard was student of Boucher whose skill was even greater than his master's. Rococo was often intimate in scale like this piece, small enough for viewers to come close and peer in at the scene. "The Swing" embodies the Rococo style-rich people doing p
Jean Baptiste Simeon Chardin, Saying Grace, 1740
antithesis to Rococo painting, Chardin embraced naturalism and celebrated the simple goodness of everyday people, especially mothers and children far from the frivolity of Rococo. Rococo is slowly phased out as the lower classes grow and this style become
Jean Baptiste Greuze, Village Bride, 1761.
Specialized in still lives, middle class life, moral values are important. Here a "good girl" leaves the home with her new husband. Everyone is happy for her but sad to see her go, except for her jealous older sister who is not as virtuous and has been un
Elisabeth-Louise Vigee-Lebrun, Self Portrait, 1790.
Vigee-LeBrun was one of two women admitted to the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture. After the revolution her membership was revoked but she still went on to do great things. Here, she paints herself painting the likeness of Marie Antionette. Vigee-
Vigee-Lebrun, Marie Antoinette, 1787.
Even though the subject is royalty, she is portrayed very naturalistically. This portrait was meant to counter some of the negative ideas about the queen by portraying her as a loving mother sitiing with her loving children. Antionette was hated because s
William Hogarth, Breakfast Scene from Marriage a la Mode, 1745.
Part of a series of paintings and engravings satirizing middle class marriage- "Marriage a la Mode". Moralizing satires and characters became popular at this time, and Hogarth was drawn to English social conventions. This is a breakfast scene showing a co
Benjamin West, Death of General Wolfe, 1771.
Heroic battlescene death, typical! West went to Rome to study and copy famous old work for inspiration. The battle shown is is the English vs the US in Canada, 1st time exhibited is at the academy. West was official painter for the king. Here, Wolfe has b
John Singleton Copley, Paul Revere, 1770.
In this painting, Revere is working at his craft of silversmithing as he looks up almost as if he is in conversation with the viewer. The painting is masterful, as can be seen in the precise folds of the shirt, which are impressively shaded and built up w
Antonio Canaletto, Riva degli Schiavoni, 1740.
This piece looks like a fckin photograph, basically. Extremely detailed and precise landscape scenes were a big part of Canaletto's style. At this time, many people were traveling the world as part of a "world tour" that would make them more intelligent a
Angelica Kauffmann, Cornelia Presenting Her Children as Her Treasures, or Mother of the Gracchi, 1785.
Kauffman was a founding member of the Academy, this piece embodies the enlightenment's ideal of educated motherhood. Cornelia is the ultimate simple, yet educated mother, whose children are her "jewels". In contrast, the other mother cares too much about
Jaques-Louis David, Oath of the Horatii, 1784.
This piece absolutely embodies Neoclassicism! It is a historical story put into a more contemporary context, the boys are declaring allegiance to their father. it celebrates ancient Roman patriotism and sacrifice by featuring statuesque figures and classi
Jaques-Louis David, Death of a Marat, 1793.
Here, David depicts the revolutionary Marat as a tragic martyr, after he was stabbed to death in his bathtub. The painting displays severe Neoclassical sparseness, but also conveys convincing pain. He based the figure on Christ in Michelangelo's Pieta scu
Naturalism during the 1600s & on
Naturalism is different now than it was, less about painting nature and more about just painting the reality of the world around you, whether it is natural or urban. After Rococo, artists decided to pursue naturalism again, no foufou shit, no imaginary st
Neoclassicism
Style of art and architecture emerging in late 18th century, general revival of interests in classical cultural that adopts themes and styles from ancient Greece and Rome. new classics, virtuous behaviors like self-sacrifice celebrated, shift from battlef
Veduta
View" paintings- different scenes of Venice, sort of like postcards for people's grand tours of Europe. People bought them while on tour to remember their trip, artists such as Canaletto used camera obscuras to capture exact details, like a photograph.
Salon/Salon Culture
Artists held "Salon" expositions where paintings were hung floor to ceiling, people came to look at them and admire them.
Enlightenment
Western Philosophy based on empirical evidence, dominated 1700s. Independent of tradition and religion, all about critical thought. Notions of the French Revolution came from the Enlightenment, it is almost the equivalent of Humanism, but so much more! Th
Philosophes
French for "thinker, philosopher" but not philosophers, just young men who believed in and followed the ideals of the enlightenment- questioned everything, were critical of ideas, commented and criticized France, which was falling apart. Examples are Volt
Intrigue Paintings
Part of Rococo, are playful, sometimes sexual or allusions to other cultures- which is why they are intriguing, new, exciting!
Rococo
After Baroque comes Rococo, which is less dramatic, more sensuous, all about touch, romance, robins egg blue and bubbly pink! Everything light and airy, all abut pleasure, organic forms, rich people having a good ol time. Sexual play, and meddling in peop
Poussinistes
members of the royal french academy who were followers of Poussin, excited about linear forms, structure, non-sensory art, draftsmanship and the appeal to one's mind. insist that form is most important part of painting.
Rubenistes
members of the royal french academy who were followers of Rubens, excited about sensory forms, emotion, and bright colors! insist that color is the most important part of painting.
Charles LeBrun
Louis the 14ths personal art advisor, not an architect himself but an art manager of sorts. Became the artistic dictator for France, knew Poussin and respected him, so he thought art should represent noble acts of man. Not emotional, thought that shit nee
Camera Obscura
latin for "dark room," an ancestor of modern cameras. tiny pinhole acts as lens and projcts image onto a screen or wall or box. used by artists in 17-19th centuries to help draw realistically from nature.
fete galante
french for "amorous festival" - type of Rococo painting depicting outdoor fun and play of upper class French people.
Grand Manner" portraiture
type of 18th century portrait or painting designed to show someone's grace and honor through certain standardized conventions, Poussin was big believer in it. He said paintings must be ordered, mathematical, classically structured, and subject must be gra
ancien regime
French for "old order". Used to describe the political, social and religious order in France before the Revolution at end of 18th century.