Baroque

Q: What are some of the major differences between Italian and Spanish Baroque painting?
A: Italian and Spanish Baroque painting had a lot in common. Not only was the art of both countriesdefined by Catholicism, but artists in both countries were interested in capturing a sense of immediacy and realism. It can be argued, however, that Spanish artists were interested in capturing anintensified sense of realism, verging on harshness. In the vein of Caravaggio and his realism, Spanish artists focused more on realism and less on theatrical and exuberant styles so favored by the Italians.In addition, the Classical vein of painting that was popular in Baroque Italy had little to no life in Baroque Spain.


Q: Does the term ‘Baroque’ refer to an artistic style or to a time period?A: Although you will sometimes hear scholars refer to a “Baroque style,” the term “Baroque” technically refers to the art-historical period spanning roughly 1600-1700. Since the prevailinginterests and styles of the Baroque varied from region to region as well as from decade to decade, using the term “Baroque style” is rather vague. Keep in mind, for example that in the Italian Baroque, thedramatic, dynamic style of Caravaggio coexisted alongside the more serene and Classic style of the Carracci. Often when you hear someone refer to the “Baroque style,” he or she means the dramaticstyle of artists like Caravaggio and Bernini, because that style marked a departure from the artistic traditions of the Renaissance; the new style spread through many European countries and directlychallenged artistic traditions.

Q: What do scholars mean when they describe a trend of “realism” in Italian and Spanish Baroque art?
A: The terms realism and realistic can be confusing, as they canmean different things depending on who is using them and what the context is. For example, in the Renaissance, artists painted space in a way that is often described as “realistic.” So what was...