9 characteristics of Baroque PAINTING

The Baroque constitutes a cultural, scientific, political, economic and social period emerged from great changes in all these areas. Thus, the Counter-Reformation and the rise of modern states are two of the most prominent political and religious phenomena of this period, adding other circumstances such as economic crises, the emergence of the bourgeoisie or technological advances such as the microscope and the telescope, among others. A dynamic, dramatic and theatrical artistic style against the classicism and rationality of the Renaissance.

In this lesson of unPROFESOR.com we tell you what are the characteristics of baroque painting so you can identify this artistic style.

The baroque painting It is a clear reflection of the cultural and political changes that took place in Europe in the 17th century and part of the 18th century. And, although this term encompasses a wide variety of styles, they all have realism, grandeur and drama in common. But What other characteristics are common in the different schools of Baroque painting?

Between the characteristics of baroque painting stand out:

1. HE rejects the idealism of the Renaissance to give way to a stark realism, also showing the saddest and darkest side of life, without hiding the ugly or the grotesque. Naturalism or faithful reproduction of reality is sought.
2. The color predominates over the drawing resorting to color spots as a way to define shapes. A technique used by painters such as Rembrandt or Velazquez. Within the treatment of color, a representation of color in compact and homogeneous masses evolves to a looser brushstroke and resorting to the glazing technique.
3. The third dimension is introduced thanks to foreshortenings, games of light and converging lines, among other techniques to add depth to the composition.
4. The compositions are asymmetric and the main figures or objects do not seek symmetry, reinforcing the spirals and diagonals.
5. The light also becomes the protagonist and the shadows gain strength, being gloomy its greatest expression. Baroque painters used light in an impressive way thanks to the tenebrism, that is, to illuminate some areas of the painting and leave others in shadow, something to which is added the blurring of the contours and the softening of the lines, with color predominating over the drawing.
6. It is about deceiving the senses and providing a sensation of dramatics.
7. He motion It is another of the basic elements of the Baroque and, to print that sensation in their works, they resort to twisting the shapes, marking the diagonals, etc.
8. The composition thus acquires true chaotic and messy air compared to the symmetrical and simple compositions of the Renaissance.
9. The most used technique was oil painting on canvas, fresco painting is used in the painting of walls and ceilings.

Here we discover the Baroque art in Spain.

In addition to the techniques and style, there are also more fundamental changes compared to the Renaissance. Thus, other characteristics of the Baroque in terms of content are:

• There are new topics like the landscape and still lifes. Two genres in which both the landscape and everyday objects become protagonists and allow the artist to show his virtuosity.
• Other common themes of the Baroque are religious themes, pagans and the representation of nature, daily life or customs, historical events and portraits.
• Within religious themes, mystical themes such as visions, miracles or martyrdoms of saints, and it is usual for elements that reinforce this drama to appear: angels, clouds, etc.
• The mythological themes They are frequent and usually include numerous nudes.
• In the Pictures it tends to capture both physical and psychological aspects.

Discover the characteristics of baroque sculpture.