War and Religion Effects

 Baroque Era

The Baroque era was influenced by a couple events. One event that influenced the Baroque Era was the Thirty Year War where Spain lost power and the Dutch were free from Spanish rule, hence the growth of Dutch painters. Another event that influenced the Baroque Era was The Council of Trent. The Council of Trent was the Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformers. The Council of Trent allowed the Church to avoid the hard-to-understand Mannerist style of art and encouraged artists to be clear, real, and full of emotion that included classical antiquities.  

After becoming free from Spanish Rule, the Dutch, including merchants and people who trade, became interested in arts, allowing merchants to rise in the economy and more Dutch paintings to spread. One Dutch painter I like in this Baroque Era is Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. Rembrandt's work of art, Philosopher in Meditation is one that I really liked. 

Philosopher in Meditation (1632) by Rembrandt; location Louvre Museum 

The Baroque and the Renaissance era both had their differences. The Baroque era had a direct focus while the Renaissance era had a "less-guided focus" (Smarthistory). A big difference was the effects of light also. The Baroque era had a lot of art that used the effects of light while the Renaissance era had "clear, even light" (Smarthistory). 

In Rembrandt's Philosopher in Meditation, we can really see the effects of light coming from the window. We can see the light and the shadow it casts in the dark room. I see the old man sitting next to the window where the light comes in while there is an old lady sitting in the bottom right corner which looks like a fire. This work of art by Rembrandt shows a moment in time where there was a lot of debate going on with their religion. To be a Luthernist or Calvinist. This was also during the time of war. 

In this work of art by Rembrandt, there is a great use of light and shadow which creates a calming mood or a quiet mood. When I look at this, I hear nothing but quietness except maybe the fire crackling. This quietness is maybe the emphasis Rembrandt wants. With the war going on and problems with religion, maybe it is only good to sit at home just like this old couple. I don't see any movement. This dark room filled with natural light really brings me in, somehow bringing unity even if it just a dark room. I see symmetry from the spiraling staircase which is pleasing to my eyes. 

Arnolfini Portrait (1434) by Jan van Eyck; location National Gallery Museum 

Take a look at this Northern Renaissance painting by Jan van Eyck. Compare it to the Baroque painting above. In this, we see the Arnolfini marriage. The Arnolfini family was a "powerful family" (Giovanni). So they, the Arnolfini, were probably idealized unlike the old philosopher and old lady in the Baroque painting, Philosopher in Meditation by Rembrandt. Also, I don't see much light and shadow effect in this Jan van Eyck painting compared to Rembrandt's work of art. 

The Renaissance and Baroque era both had different influences that made them unique. I still like them both, the Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck and the Philosopher in Meditation by Rembrandt. The Baroque era just had different influences that made them use different art elements. 

Works Cited

“Giovanni Arnolfini.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Aug. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Arnolfini#:~:text=The Arnolfini were a powerful,Florence) in weaving expensive cloth.&text=He was presumably born in,nor the date are documented.

“Louvre.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louvre.

“National Gallery.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery.

“Philosopher in Meditation.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Sept. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosopher_in_Meditation.

“Giovanni Arnolfini.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Aug. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Arnolfini#:~:text=The Arnolfini were a powerful,Florence) in weaving expensive cloth.&text=He was presumably born in,nor the date are documented.

“Louvre.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louvre.

“National Gallery.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery.

“Philosopher in Meditation.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Sept. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosopher_in_Meditation.

“Philosopher in Meditation.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Sept. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosopher_in_Meditation.

“Louvre.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louvre.

Smarthistory. "How to recognizer Baroque art." Youtube, 10 May, 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFHPAbHaoqk&feature=youtu.be

“Arnolfini Portrait.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnolfini_Portrait.

“National Gallery.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery.

“Giovanni Arnolfini.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Aug. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Arnolfini#:~:text=The Arnolfini were a powerful,Florence) in weaving expensive cloth.&text=He was presumably born in,nor the date are documented.