-
Period: to
Baroque Period of Fine Art
The Baroque period of fine art began in 1600 and was characterized by vividly clear and ornate detail with exagerrated motion. Beginning in Rome, Italy, this style of art spread throughout Europe and was highly encouraged by the Catholic Church. Many works from this period feature strong religious themes that express triumph, power, and superiority. -
Rappresentatione di Anima, et di Corpo
This musical composition by Emilio de Cavalieri is regarded by many as the first oratorio, or opera. Fully staged with three acts and a spoken prologue, this opera was first performed at Oratorio di S Maria in Vallicella, Rome, in February 1600. (Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emilio_de%27_Cavalieri) -
Caravaggio's "The Entombment of Christ"
Considered Michelangelo Merisi da Carvaggio's most monumental work, this piece is reflective of the Baroque style through the representation of detailed religious imagery. This altarpiece was created for the Santa Maria in Vallicella (the Chiesa Nuova), a church built for the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri in Rome, Italy. (Image source: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/monarchy-enlightenment/baroque-art1/baroque-italy/a/caravaggio-deposition) -
Don Quixote
The first volume of Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote is published in 1605 and is considered one of the most influential texts of the Spanish Golden Age and of world literature in general. -
Carracci's "The Loves of the Gods"
Annibale Carracci's finishes work on his ceiling fresco is in the reception room of Palazzo Farnese for Cardinal Odoardo Farnese. Carracci is regarded as one of the most influential Baroque artists. (Image source: http://www.wga.hu/html_m/c/carracci/annibale/farnese/farnes0.html) -
Monteverdi's L'Arianna
L'Arianna, the second opera by the Italian composer Claudio Monteverdi, is first performed as part of the wedding fesitivities for Duke Vincenzo Gonzaga in Mantua. Only a small portion of the music still exists today, "Lamento d'Arianna." (Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Arianna#/media/File:Claudio_Monteverdi_4.jpg) -
Rubens' "Elevation of the Cross"
Another work characteristic of the Barqoe period of art, this religious imagery painted by Peter Paul Rubens (Belgium) is a triptych, or a painting on 3 wooden panels. It is located in The Cathedral of Our Lady, a Roman Catholic cathedral in Antwerp, Belgium. (Image source: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/monarchy-enlightenment/baroque-art1/flanders-1/v/rubens-elevation) -
Don Quixote-Part 2
Cervantes publishes Part 2 of the iconic Don Quixote. -
Bernini's "David"
Work is completed on Gian Lorenzo Bernini's life-size sculpture "David," a marble sculpture commissioned to decorate the villa of Cardinal Scipione Borghese. Taking seven months to complete, it can still be found today in the Galleria Borghese in Rome, Italy. (Image source: http://totallyhistory.com/david/) -
St. Peter's Basilica
Construction on the Roman Catholic basilica in Vatican City took 150 years and through the significant contributions of a variety of artists, work on the orignal plans were finally completed in 1626. Further alterations were conducted in later years, such as the obelisk that is situated in the front of the basilica. (Image source: http://www.vaticanstate.va/content/vaticanstate/en/monumenti/basilica-di-s-pietro.html) -
The Triumph of Bacchus
The Triumph of Bacchus is a painting by Diego Velázquez, now in the Museo del Prado, in Madrid. The painting shows Bacchus encompassed by drunkards and is popularly referred to as Los borrachos or The Drinkers. Velázquez was highly influenced by the Italian paintings that were part of the king's collection and later travelled to Italy to continue his work. (Image source: https://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/online-gallery/on-line-gallery/obra/the-triumph-of-bacchus-or-the-drunkards/) -
Naghsh’e Jahan Square
Naghsh’e Jahan Square, also referred to as Imam Square, is located in the center of Isfahan city, Iran. Now acknowledged as a a significant historical site, the Square was commissioned by Shah Abbas who had moved his capital city of Isfahan. This square housed all clergy, merchants, and political personnel, including the Shah himself. (Image source: http://historicaliran.blogspot.com/2009/11/naghshe-jahan-square.html) -
"The Merry Drinker" by Frans Hals
"The Merry Drinker" by Frans Hals is considered part of Baroque art but also an key piece of the Dutch Golden Age. Many believe Hals' style influenced the future Impressionism period. (Image source: http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/h/hals/frans/03-1630/30drink.html) -
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his favorite wife of three, Mumtaz Mahal. Constructed of white marble, this mausoleum is located on the southern bank of Yamuna River in India. (Image source: by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favorite wife of three, Mumtaz Mahal) -
Rembrandt's "The Anatomy Lesson"
Rembrandt's "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp" is a 1632 oil painting on canvas and is currently housed in the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, the Netherlands. This painting reflects a popular social event of the 17th century, anatomy lessons conducted on executed criminals. (Image resource: http://www.rembrandthuis.nl/en/rembrandt/belangrijkste-werken/de-anatomische-les-van-dr-nicolaes-tulp) -
Judith Leyster's Self Portrait
In an era where professional female painters were very uncommon, Judith Leyster was considered a talented artist at the early age of 19. This Dutch artist enjoyed success and her painting "Self Portait" is considered by many to be her application to master in Haarlem’s painters’ guild. She would be one of only two women ever accepted into the guild. (Image source: http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/Collection/highlights/highlight37003.html) -
Rembrandt's "The Night Watch"
This oil on canvas by Rembrandt van Rijn was originally titled, "Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq" and is now more commonly referred to as "The Night Watch." This work is considered one of the essential masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age and it can be found today in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. (Image source: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/monarchy-enlightenment/baroque-art1/holland/a/rembrandt-the-night-watch) -
Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza
Construction begins on Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza, a Roman Catholic church in Rome by the architect Francesco Borromini. Finished in 1660, the church is regarded as a masterpiece of Roman Baroque architecture. (Image Source: http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/S._Ivo_della_Sapienza.html) -
Giasone by Franceso Cavalli
Cavalli's opera is in three acts and contains a libretto by Giacinto Andrea Cicognini. This opera premiered during carnivalat the Teatro San Cassiano in Venice, Italy.
