Fundamental Concepts, Methods and Modes in the Humanities, Research Paper Example

Classical and Baroque

“Perhaps the Classical Period in ancient Greece is known as one of the most accomplished periods of artistic achievement in the West and for a brief moment in time this era brought some of the most brilliant fine art sculptures, vase paintings and architecture to the eyes of art lovers with near perfection.” (“Exploring the Arts and Humanities”).

The early Classical period is classified as the period between 480-450 B.C. where aesthetic expression and abstract art began to form. Zeus of Olympia is probably the longest standing work of art from the early classical era. Early pediments of the human body are revealed through human sculpture depiction. There are still some rare forms of bronze statutes present such as Zeus or Poseidon which can be located in Cape Artemision in Greece. The years 450-400 B.C. were perhaps the heightened years of the classical era or the golden years of the classical art era. These were the times of the very young Socrates and when Thucydides and Euripides made dramatic representation of the human character through divine depiction. Polykleitos was attempting to make the perfect human figure during these years with his works of art. The temples of Athenian Acropolis were perhaps the most magnificent work of art during the golden year’s era. In the latter years following, 400-300 B.C., there was great emphasis on putting emotion into works of art. Elegance and graceful beauty was added to many works of art from vase paintings to the reconstruction of murals. Miron, Kresilas, Timotheus, Zeuxis and Apelles were some of the many contributors to this late classical period. The final part of the classical era was the Hellenistic period. It is with the entrance of this phase that Greek classical art entered its last magnificent phase through which no boundaries could hold it back. “It is during this phase that Rhodes and Alexandria began to emerge and Athens lost its zest.” (“The Early Classical Period”).

The Baroque Art Period pronounced in Italy and spread rapidly in France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands with grandeur. The works of art was given to art pieces from 1500-1700. Baroque is applied to art with appeal to Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. The Catholic Church decided to use works of art to display their renewal of the counter-reformation to influence particular audiences. Great emphasis was placed and shadowing and selective illumination of deep figures. Caravaggio was an influential painter from the Baroque era. Rembrandt and Vermeer painted in Baroque style and influence. “The style reflects absolute monarchial power with tension and domination of expression.” (“Baroque”).

The High Baroque Period was full of emotion, variety and movement. There was much appealing to the senses of the art lovers. There was much drama and rich grandeur portrayed in the paintings. Annibale Carracci was a leading contributor to the era as well as Bernini who dominated the era with his virtuous paintings. Most paintings were contrasted with much ornamentation as well as mannerist style.

The Classical and Baroque periods shared both similarities and differences in that they both expressed clearness and realism but the Baroque ears hoped to depict special and transitory life on earth through bronze and colorful paintings.

The Baroque work relates to the Classical work because the Classical work served as a foundation through which latter works could be formed upon. “Peter Paul Rubens is a good example in history of the transition from High Renaissance, Classical art, to Baroque art. Rubens, a Flemish artist having studied in Italy for eight years was familiar with Titian, Michelangelo, and Leonardo. He copied Leonardo’s drawing “Battle of Anghiari”, a tumultuous sublime battle, of the immediate moment. Rubens showed he understood the heroic, muscular, monumental, formal compositions of Italian art painting his famous painting, “Elevation of the Cross”. (“Learn about Barouqe Art”).

Though the art of the Baroque period emerged in the 1500’s it was not until the 1600’s that the art began to emerge and take form. This art was special in its own form because it “rebelled against mannerist form of Renaissance art.” (“Baroque”). The artist practices the use of curves to make special effects with their art rather than harsh effects such as rectangles and squares those other artists’’ tend to use. The use of plaster and stucco began to emerge during this era which gave rise to miraculous forms of art which depicted natural but ornamented forms of art. Curves also helped to portray the illusions of almost eternal space which could be used to visualize space between buildings to give special effects. The most sacred invention was the use of visuals and paintings in churches.

One era gave way to the transformation of another era in terms of the creation of a newer philosophy of creating art in a newer and more creative means. Each artist was attempting to visualize and manifest his own ideas upon the community and sort of out does the other. Through these individual creations each artistic era was born or emerged continuously into another and here we are with histories of many great generations of artists and art works.

The purpose for continuing earlier art work traditions are to communicate earlier ideas and manifest these ideas into new artworks. Many traditions in art lay the groundwork for great pieces of art. There certainly is no disputing this fact. It can only be theorized that following this principle and learning from previous great artists that new artists’ can become great artists’ themselves.

Though the styles of the artists’ may be somewhat different in the Classical and Baroque eras the basic principles of art techniques are the same and the intentions of the artists’ are to create wonderful masterpieces that they are happy with and that the art lovers can appreciate. Art still serves the purpose of religious ritual, perpetual motion of illusion, motivation and self-discovery. The creation of the Sistine Chapel was probably the most influential expression of religious ritual known to man.  Some say art is simply a means of washing the dust from our souls. Others view art as a simple means of decoration of the home or office or expression of one’s inner soul.

References

The Early Classical Period Retrieved January 30, 2010 from, http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/ent/A0920777.html

Exploring the Arts and Humanities Retrieved January 30, 2010 from, http://www.loggia.com/art/ancient/classical.html

Baroque Retrieved January 30, 2010 from, http://www.huntfor.com/arthistory/c17th-mid19th/baroque.htm

Learn about Baroque Art Retrieved February 3, 2010 from, http://www.arthistory-famousartists-paintings.com/BaroqueArt.html