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Baroque: Still Life With Sweets and Glassware, 1622
Baroque: Still Life With Sweets and Glassware, 1622
The art and culture of the 17th century are referred to as “Baroque”. The term
was first used to disparage works which were felt to lack Classical proportion.
However, Baroque artists, like their Renaissance forbears, valued overall unity of
design and effect. What distinguishes the Baroque is its insistent movement and
transformation – of bodies and emotions in particular. The symmetry and
proportion of the Renaissance are less obvious than swirling forms, high colour
and often dramatic contrast between light and dark. Baroque artists valued
forcefulness of expression to convert or persuade the viewer.
Key works:
Still life – paintings of everyday objects ranging from vases to fruit and
flowers – became very popular during the Baroque period, especially in the Dutch
Republic. The market for paintings increased as more and more people could
afford art for their homes. Baroque still life inspires contemplation and meditation,
as well as admiration of the artist’s skill. Its beauty is often melancholy, inviting
the viewer to contemplate life’s transience.
Toledo was the religious capital of Spain and El Greco's 'View of Toledo' is
a landscape painting with a spiritual dimension. He chooses to portray the scene
just at that moment before a storm bursts. The heavens are at war with the sun just
holding out against the impending thunderstorm and the atmosphere is electric.
The spire of Toledo Cathedral seems to conduct this energy to the surrounding
buildings while the landscape bristles with static charge. At this portentous
moment the voice of God speaks through the forces of nature.
1. натюрморт
2. жанровые сцены
3. фреска
4. алтарная часть
5. рассматривать, обдумывать
6. быстротечность
9. духовное измерение