Baroque Art Revision Sheet---

1. 📌 Essentials

• Originated in Rome in early 17th century as a reaction against Renaissance harmony.
• Characterized by movement, emotional intensity, theatricality, and illusion.
• Deeply linked to Catholic Counter-Reformation, emphasizing accessible and emotionally engaging art.
• Uses dramatic contrasts of light and shadow (chiaroscuro) to heighten effect.
• Space is expanded and continuous, blending architecture, sculpture, and painting.
• Focuses on viewer participation; figures seem to emerge from and interact with space.
• Art aims to evoke strong emotional responses—pain, ecstasy, fear, joy.
• Rich decoration with gold, marble, and detailed surfaces conveys power and grandeur.
• Bernini epitomizes the Baroque artist: dynamic, naturalistic, master of illusion and total artistic conception.
• Contrasts with Renaissance: prioritizes movement, emotion, tension over harmony and balance.

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