Discussion Week 1 - Humanities 112

Baroque Style

1) From the reading of the textbook (or eChapters in the Student Center) write one paragraph of 125 words or more that identify the artist, date, and title. In addition, include in the paragraph the Key Terms from the textbook reading to describe the Baroque painting by identifing specific key aspects of each painting that fit the Baroque style. The goal is to demonstrate an understanding of Baroque style painting.

Caravaggio, The Crowning with Thorns, 1602-04, oil on canvas, 165.5 x 127 cm (Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna) is my selection. This selection portrays the play of light in a geometrical shape of triangular direction from the right corner to highlight the unfairness of impalement of thorns.

Depicted in this painting is the purpose of using religious scripture to teach and inspire the faithful as it reflects Jesus suffering for our sins. Not only does it relay an unspoken testament of faith it reflects an audible, intelligible and realistic emotional stimulus to piety and the expectation of suffering for our faith.

Foreshortening is not a technique used but palpable is light highlighted on the two impalers and on Jesus partially covered torso and the leather jerkin of the Spanish officer. Relaying mystery is the hidden countenance from light and shaded in the dark to prevent full revelation and yet still reflect the horrendous torture of having thorns impaled.

The revealatory power of light reflects detail in stark rendition and allows tenebrism to be dramatized. Contrasting with harmonic blends is the depth of thought relating piousness in Jesus soul for his compliance and allowed the solidification of faith in the service of God. Transcending upward allows the Baroque method to capture and emphasize victory blatantly and reflect the true establishment of Catholic Faith and resistance to Protestant Faith with triumph of Christianity over all. Spatiality is allowed as the chiaroscuro method is employed allowing a portrayal of depth to the room so vivid that the painting reflects almost 3D imagery.

2) After you have demonstrated your knowledge of the Key Terms of Baroque paintings in the first paragraph, use those Key Terms to write one paragraph of 125 words or more to explain what you liked or disliked about your chosen painting. The goal is to demonstrate an understanding of Baroque paintings Key Terms.

My chosen painting reflects awesome detail that I like of skin texture showing a lighter colored ivory paint then mixed with other colors to reflect skin exposed to sun and outdoor activity. This was achieved by using revealatory power of light which created the look of pallor and shadows of Jesus and mixture of paint to the others darker skin with light exposed on other sections to give a look of credence and possibility. Harmonic blends compel the eye to look closer and closer noting the details and abject misery of Jesus as he is treated horribly.

Foreshortening which gives the look of subjects flying from the sky is not used. But the chiaroscuro method along with tenebrism method is used and allows the richness of Jesus robe to be impossible to be obscured or overwhelmed and reflect an almost tangible presence of reality and spatial depth using graduation of light and dark. This in itself reflects the status of richness of his family.

Another reason I picked this painting is to renew my faith with the realization that others who view this painting like myself are affected with determination to stay faithful and true.

3) Do a Google search to find a modern film that uses elements (Key Terms) of Baroque style and compare and contrast the film to your chosen painting in one paragraph of 125 words or more.

Movie – Jane Eyre, starring Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine (1944).

As with the painting, forshortening is not utilized in the movie (Jane Eyre) but what is similar is light, shadows and darkness used for emphasis that project emotional level of piety in the movie and painting. Starkness, coloring, shadows and darkness are corresponding and relational in both painting and movie but more expanded in the movie because of lack of color. Cinematographic history reflects tenebrism in several segments in the movie whereas the painting is very limited in its ability to show different phases of the tenebrism method as in the movie. Chiaroscuro is creatively used relaying more depth than actually exist in both painting and movie. Revealatory Power of Light corresponds as similar in both movie and painting but expanded in the movie to deploy and reflect mystery.

Reply to co-student

I also am impressed with the painting for his hands are held in supplication and spiritual worship because the Holy Spirit has descended upon him. Enthralled is his soul as he is filled within and this is what Caravaggio has captured the essence of the Living God saving him.

Noted, tenebrism is utilized as opposed to chiaroscuro and foreshortening. Revealatory power of light is used to reflect that the power of God was upon him and show emphasis to Christians. Further, I agree with you that the emotional involvement was revealed and that love of God was embraced.

I also loved the movie “The Girl with the Pearl Earring”.

Thank you.

Felicia